Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Native to coastal Southern California, San Diego county viguiera (Bahiopsis laciniata) adds a bright splash of yellow to the waterwise landscape. This evergreen shrub is a member of the Aster family. It is sometimes called the San Diego sunflower or tornleaf goldeneye.


The sunflower-like blooms cover the plant from winter to summer. The small, toothed leaves are a vibrant, shiny green. San Diego county viguiera is a hardy, fast-growing shrub. It is easy to grow and does well in sandy, well-draining soil with minimal watering. 


San Diego county viguiera’s cheerful blooms attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to the garden. The plant provides cover for wildlife. After blooming, the spent flowers can be deadheaded or left for birds. Prune in the fall after flowering.


This plant does well on dry slopes. Plant in clusters to form a hedge or combine with other colorful, low-water perennials for visual interest.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall
3 - 4 ft Wide

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Slight

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer, Spring, Winter

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low, Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as drainage is adequate.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0

Maintenance

Prune to shape when not in bloom

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Dry slopes, canyons and mesas

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Scrub, Lowland Chaparral, Maritime Desert Scrub, Southern Coastal Scrub

Woolly bluecurls, Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius), Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii), California Encelia, Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera), Mimulus sp, Manzanita sp, Ceanothus sp

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica

California Patch

Chlosyne californica

Bordered Patch

Chlosyne lacinia