Common Name:

General Information

Baccharis patagonica is an evergreen shrub with an open, spreading habit. It can grow 3 metres or more tall in sheltered conditions, though can be lower growing in exposure. It is often as wide or wider than it is tall[, ].
An attractive evergreen, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental and can be used as a hedge. A source of fuel in the wild, where it serves a useful purpose as a soil stabilizer.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Chile

Habitat

Rock crevices, forest margins and coastal sands[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A very good hedge for exposed maritime conditions[, , ]. It is exceedingly tolerant of maritime exposure and amenable to clipping, though it is rather slow growing[]. Plants tend to be as wide or wider than they are tall and produce a very dense weed-excluding cover if regularly trimmed[].
Plants have an extensive root system and can be grown on sand or thin coastal soils in order to bind the soil[].

Other Uses

Resinous secretions on the leaves and wood make this a useful fuel[]. It is a fairly small plant though and would not be a very productive source.

Propagation

Seed - no pre-treatment is required[]. 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[]. 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, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, late autumn in a frame. Easy[].
Layering - the plant often does this for you[].