Bush Sunflower (Simsia calva) is an extremely drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance and xeriscape landscapes. Native to Texas, this mounding plant produces cheerful yellow, daisy-like flowers with occasional hints of purple or red from spring through fall, adding long-lasting color to the garden. Its coarse, sandpaper-like foliage helps discourage grazing animals, while its abundant blooms provide nectar for bees and butterflies and serve as a larval host for the Bordered Patch Butterfly.

Scientific Name: Simsia calva

Origin: Southeastern US and northern Mexico

Height: About 5 feet tall

Spread:  1 to 3 feet

Light: Full Sun

Water: Low

USDA Zone: 8-10

Blooms: May to November

Larval Host: Bordered Patch butterfly