California everlasting is a native wildflower that grows 2-4 feet tall with fragrant green to gray-green leaves. It blooms from April to July with small, dry white or pink flowers displayed in bunches above the foliage. The flowers attract butterflies and are a good choice for gardens, providing a vertical element and being drought tolerant once established. It is suitable as a substitute for non-native everlastings and can be propagated from seed.

1. California Everlasting – Pseudognaphalium (Gnaphalium) californicum
(soo-doe-na-FAY-lee-um ka-li-FOR-ni-kum)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of California from OR to Baja; dry sunny places in grasslands, shrublands and
woodlands. Often on hillsides or slopes in S. California.
Growth characteristics: annual/biennial wildflower mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Stout, erect short-lived perennial/annual with somewhat woody stem. Leaves are attractive green
to gray-green, fragrant (like maple syrup) and glandular. Summer/fall dormant. Looks more
delicate than it is. Re-seeds around the garden if happy.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms April to July in S. Bay. Flowers small, dry, white or pink-tinged, in bunches
above the foliage. Very showy. White flowers contrast well with green leaves.
Uses in the garden: Best in mid-bed, where summer dormancy can be hidden. Very showy in bloom
– good in cottage gardens. Nice as white accent, in scent and butterfly gardens. Provides vertical
design element. Fine in large pots, containers. Nice for cut flowers, dried flower arrangements.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native everlastings, strawflowers.
Attracts: Favored food for caterpillar of American Painted Lady butterfly. Nectar source for
butterflies and other native pollinators.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part shade
Soil Sandy or clay-sand mixture best; can grow as annual even in heavier soils.
Tolerates alkali soils & seaside conditions.
Water Tolerates winter flooding. Low to no water best in summer.
Fertilizer None needed
Other
Management: Allow flower heads to dry on plant. Dried seeds can be collected or scattered on
bare soil to produce plants for the following year. Remove dead plants in fall/winter.
Propagation: from seed: germination increased by exposure to charred wood.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 16 12/12/10
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