Baccharis douglasii, or salt marsh baccharis, is a spreading subshrub native to coastal areas from Oregon to Baja California. It grows 4-5 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, with evergreen foliage and sticky stems. It blooms from July to fall with small flower heads that attract various pollinators. Salt marsh baccharis is suitable for wetland, bog, or rain gardens, providing food and habitat for butterflies and other insects. It requires full sun to part shade and tolerates salty or wet soils with occasional water once established.

1. Salt Marsh Baccharis – Baccharis douglasii
(BAK-uh-riss dug-LASS-ee-eye )
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: West Coast of N. America from OR to Baja. In CA in lower coastal elevations and Sierra
foothills; coastal salt marsh, coastal salt scrub, moist places near streams to 2500' in Coastal Sage
Scrub, Northern Coastal Scrub, Redwood Forest, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest.
spreading sub-shrub
mature height: 4-5 ft.
mature width: 6-8
ft.
Spreading sub-shrub with many erect stems from rhizomes. Foliage evergreen if watered,
medium green and sticky-glandular (quite similar to Mulefat).
Growth characteristics:
Dioecious (separate male/female plants. Blooms off and on from July into fall
depending on soil moisture. Flower heads similar to Mulefat in appearance, in clusters at the ends of
stems. Flowers attract a wide range of insect pollinators.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden:
Most suitable for wetland, bog or rain gardens. Excellent choice for pots
including a ‘wetland in a pot’ garden. Pretty and green. One of the best native plants for insects –
fascinating to watch. Plant used medicinally to disinfect wounds (infusion or dried leaf powder).
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pond/wetland plants.
Excellent insect habitat plant. Food source for American Painted Lady, Buckeyes and
Acmon Blue butterflies . Flowers and foliage attract a wide variety of insects & insect-eating birds.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade.
Any texture; any local pH. Tolerates salty soils/brackish water.
Likes water, but fairly drought tolerant once established. Probably looks best with
semi-regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3) but will survive on little.
Not particular – but none needed
Likes a leaf mulch (typical wetland plant)
Plant in a container to keep from spreading. Container plants need dividing once a
year in spring. Other than that, not much management required.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: yes - fresh
by cuttings: easy from divisions.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 3, 13
5/19/13
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