1 named cultivar

‘Pigeon Point’Pigeon Point Dwarf Coyote Bush

shrubN. America Native

Dwarf Coyote Bush

The Story

Plant Bio

Baccharis pilularis, coyote brush, is an evergreen Californian shrub that ranges from a one-foot mat to a four-foot bush, spreading six to ten feet across. Small resinous toothed leaves stay green through the dry season. Plants are either male or female, and the modest autumn flowers are yellowish on males and white on females, opening in September and October.

Female plants follow their flowers with masses of cottony seed that blows everywhere and seeds into surrounding ground, which is why the prostrate selections sold for ground cover are almost all male. It is also genuinely fire-retardant when kept green and pruned, and is used deliberately around buildings in dry western landscapes.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense evergreen cover that stays green through a dry western summer without irrigation.

Stabilises banks, needs no summer water, and is used as fire-resistant cover near buildings.

A California native whose late flowers are an important autumn nectar source for insects and birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

24 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

California

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or winter in full sun.
Choose dry, sandy, sharply drained soil.
Space plants six to eight feet apart for cover.
Water through the first summer only.
Shear lightly each winter to keep growth dense and green.
Remove any woody dead growth that accumulates inside.

Pro Tip

Its fire-retardant reputation depends on annual shearing; an unpruned plant accumulates dead interior wood and loses that benefit entirely.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in full sun and sharp drainage ☀️
Shear it lightly each winter ✂️
Use it to stabilise dry banks 🪨
Choose a male selection to avoid seed fluff 🌱

Don't

Irrigate it once established ❌
Let dead interior wood build up ❌
Plant a seeding female form near wild land ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Large-scale ground cover for arid landscapesBank and slope stabilisationFire-resistant planting around buildings

Companion Plants

Manzanita California Lilac Toyon Deer Grass Coast Live Oak

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Dwarf Coyote Bush questions

What zones can Dwarf Coyote Bush grow in?

Dwarf Coyote Bush is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Dwarf Coyote Bush deer resistant?

Yes — Dwarf Coyote Bush is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Dwarf Coyote Bush bloom?

Dwarf Coyote Bush typically blooms in early to mid-fall through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Dwarf Coyote Bush need full sun?

Dwarf Coyote Bush does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Dwarf Coyote Bush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Dwarf Coyote Bush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.