California brickelbush is a woody perennial shrub native to dry, rocky slopes and washes in chaparral and coastal sage scrub below 8,000 feet in much of southwest California, Baja California, and northern Mexico. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach 2-5 feet tall and wide, with many slender branches arising from the root crown or short stems. It blooms from August to October with small, fragrant yellow-green flowers that perfume a large area, though the aroma cannot be smelled close up. It is often planted for its fragrance during bloom and provides cover and seeds for birds.

1. California Brickellbush – Brickellia californica (brik-KEL-ee-uh kal-ih-FOR-nik-uh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of the southwest, including most of CA S. to Baja & N. Mexico; common shrub of dry,
rocky slopes & washes in our chaparral & coastal-sage-scrub below 8000 ft.
Growth characteristics: woody perennial shrub mature height: 2-5+ ft. mature width: 2-5+ ft.
Semi-herbaceous shrub with many slender branches arising from the root crown or short, near-surface
horizontal stems. Fast-growing. Plant may live for several decades, renewing itself via suckers. Foliage
often white/hairy and sticky. Bark interesting, paper-like.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Aug-Oct in our area. Flowers are small, yellow-green, in drooping bunches.
Flowers are extremely fragrant, perfuming a large area. Interesting, you can’t smell them close-up.
Uses in the garden: Most often planted for its aroma during bloom. It is best located with other shrubs,
where its loss of leaves is not so noticeable. Kind of an interesting looking plant – not a show-stopper
except for its fragrance. Excellent species plant for dry native gardens – deserves to be used more. Was
used medicinally/ceremonially by Native Californians.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native small shrubs, woody perennials.
Attracts: Provides cover and seeds for birds. Larval food source for the tiger moth, Dysschema
howardi.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Any local well-drained soil; any local pH
Water Water once a week or so the first year, very little thereafter
Fertilizer none
Other Ok with organic mulch
Management: Prune to remove dead/diseased branches. Can prune back by 1/3 for fuller shape.
Propagation: from seed: yes; no pre-treatment by cuttings: layering; probably from cuttings
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20, 28 1/23/11
© Project SOUND

2. Brickellia californica
California brickelbush