Broom baccharis - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Broom baccharis — <em>Baccharis sarothroides</em>

Description

The Broom baccharis, also known as desert broom, is a medium to large evergreen shrub with a fine branching habit and billowy foliage character. Mature plants range in size from 10-12 ft. tall with an equal spread. Medium green leaves are long and narrow, and grow on green stems. Flowers grow in inconspicuous clusters in late spring, the seed blossoms have cotton-like texture that blows around in the wind.

Broom baccharis is native throughout the warm and dry habitats of Southern California and southwestern deserts. Throughout its range it show high adaptation to heat, aridity, wind and extended periods of drought. This is a good plant for background screening, naturalizing and wildlife habitat.

Water Needs

The Broom baccharis is well adapted to hot microclimate locations in the Inland Empire where it thrives in sun and with normal winter rainfall and low amounts of summer water. Monthly deep watering from spring through fall will enhance its spring flowering cycle and help maintain good foliage character. It should be noted there are several months marked by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water depending upon exposure conditions and size.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 2

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

1"-2"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Shrub
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Mounding
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 10 ft. - 12 ft.
Width: 10 ft. - 12 ft.
Water Needs: Low 2
Foliage Color: Medium green
Flower Color: Insignificant
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Silt, Sand
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Wildlife value, Restoration, Parks and open space, Background plant, Attracts butterflies

Maintenance

Prune by heading back as much of the new-ish growth as desired in May or cut back as needed mid-winter (January - February) prior to spring growth (1). Every number of years, if looking like it needs to be reinvigorated, Baccharis can be "coppiced" by cutting all the way to the ground to promote new shoots and full regrowth (2). Coyote brush is adaptable to pruning. It can be cut back or sheared like a hedge to promote a denser plant. With some work most Baccharis pilularis or pilularis hybrids can be maintained as a formal hedge (3).

References