Practical
Plants

Baccharis patagonica

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Baccharis genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very good hedge for exposed maritime conditions[3][4][5]. It is exceedingly tolerant of maritime exposure and amenable to clipping, though it is rather slow growing[K]. Plants tend to be as wide or wider than they are tall and produce a very dense weed-excluding cover[K]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be grown on sand or thin coastal soils in order to bind the soil[5]. Resinous secretions on the leaves and wood make this a useful fuel[1]. It is a fairly small plant though and would not be a very productive source.

Product or use
Fuel

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
Southern S. America - Argentina, Chile.
Habitat
Rock crevices, forest margins and coastal sands[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - no pre-treatment is required[2]. Surface sow in pots a cold frame in the spring, do not let the compost dry out. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 weeks[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[K]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, November in a frame. Easy[K].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in almost any soil, from heavy clays to pure sands, if it is growing in a sunny position[11, 200. Tolerates saline conditions[5]. A dense evergreen shrub, it is useful for coastal situations and is exceedingly tolerant of maritime exposure[6][3][4]. A rather slow-growing plant, increasing in height by 15 - 25cm a year[K]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. Very tolerant of pruning, plants produce an abundance of new shoots if they are cut back to the ground[K]. Flowers are produced on the previous year's growth[K]. Considered to be very attractive by most visitors to our trial grounds, the foliage and flowers are strongly aromatic, especially on hot sunny days[K]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  7. Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-904614-05-0

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