Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX & NM, s. to Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky sites. Locally abundant in desert or sub-desert areas in the Trans-Pecos and Rio Grande Plains, infrequent in western part of Edwards Plateau. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils. Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: This is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant. Cut the spent flowers to keep it tidy and to promote more blooming. Skeleton-leaf goldeneye must have good drainage.
Texas comments: Skeleton-leaf goldeneye is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant. However it must have good drainage. The spent flowers can be cut back to keep it tidy and to promote more blooming. It also responds well to shearing.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Desert landscape, Blooms ornamental, Winter-hardy, Long-blooming, Rocky hillside. An excellent tall ground cover or small flowering shrub.
Use Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-moths, Nectar-insects, Browse, Seeds-granivorous birds, Cover, Nesting site
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Most effectively propagated by softwood tip cuttings. Take cuttings on bright-green new growth only, late spring. Tips with buds will not do as well. Propagate by seed by broadcasting in late fall or winter.
Seed Collection: Gather achenes as they turn brown and begin to shatter.
Seed Treatment: Air-dry before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Cut back the plant periodically to encourage bushy growth. Extremely drought tolerant.

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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I'm trying to locate seeds or plants of Viguiera Dentata, but have been unsuccessful. With the poliferation of these beautiful flowers this fall, I don't understand why I can't locate them. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might find them? Thanks!
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Question: I am looking for a tough, native TX plant to put in full sun location between the sidewalk and street. I would love for it to flower all summer. There is some irrigation but not much. I don't want the plants to get too tall and block visibility for driving out the driveway. Any suggestions?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX

Bibliography

Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viguiera stenoloba in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viguiera stenoloba in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viguiera stenoloba