Description

It is always a little surprising when a plant can thrive away from its native range. The surprise only increases as the growing site becomes more and more distinct from the plant’s native habitat. I have found plants from alpine settings will often fail to adapt to lower elevations. The winter cold seems essential somehow to the plant’s success. In contrast, I have found plants from coastal scrub to be relatively adaptable, regardless of where in the state the plant is local. San Diego County is home to many plants that thrive in the SF Bay Area. San Diego viguiera is one of these. I have tried it in a couple of sunny locations in San Jose and it has done quite well. It grows as a dense rounded shrub to about three feet, with wrinkled, lance-shaped leaves. The one-inch yellow flowers rise a foot or so above the foliage. The can come and go for months, lasting well into the fall. Plant viguiera in a sunny spot with soil that is at least moderately well-draining.