Sundrops

Tue, 08/11/2009 - 8:46am — Kathy Ormiston
Calylophus serrulatus.JPG
Photo Credit: 
Kathy Ormiston, PADG
Botanical Name: 
Calylophus hartwegii
Pronunciation: 
(kal-ee-LOW-fus heart-WEHG-ee-eye)
Common Name: 
Sundrops
Plant Type: 
Perennial
Mature Size: 
1.5 ft. high and 2 ft. wide
Water Requirements: 
Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements: 
Full to half sun
Flower Color : 
Yellow!
Wildlife: 
Attracts bees, birds, and butterflies

This is a very showy, low growing perennial. The flowers, which appear in mid-summer, are bright yellow. The delicate, lacy foliage is also an attractive addition to the garden. It is native to the southwestern US and northern Mexico.

This is a new plant in our water-wise garden, so we don't have a lot of experience with it yet. Sunset's Western Garden Book suggests shearing before spring growth. The stems on this plants can become woody, but that hasn't happened in our garden yet.