Coyote Bush

You spot Coyote Bush as a prostrate mat-former or upright shrub on coastal bluffs, disturbed slopes, and sandy areas throughout the California coast and into Oregon. This evergreen native's rapid growth and soil-stabilizing ability make it valuable in erosion-prone coastal landscapes.

Coyote Bush grows 2-3 feet tall (occasionally to 10 feet as upright forms) in part shade with moderate water and excellent drought tolerance (zones 8a-8b). It thrives in well-drained sandy or gravelly soils and resists deer browsing. Fire-resistant and resprouting, it quickly colonizes disturbed sites. Female plants produce cottony seeds; select male cultivars to prevent wind-dispersal. No serious pest or disease issues documented in regional literature.