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Acton Brittlebush

Encelia actoni

true

1 gallon

Acton Brittlebush

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Acton Brittlebush - Encelia actoni
Also known as Acton brittlebush or Acton encelia

This shrub is nearly identical to Encelia farinosa (commonly called Brittlebush) with its silvery gray leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. The easiest way to distinguish them is that Encelia actoni produces a single flowerhead at the end of each stem branch, while E. farinosa typically has multiple flowerheads clustered at the ends.

Encelia actoni is native to California and Nevada in the U.S., as well as Baja California in Mexico. It thrives in a variety of open habitats including deserts, chaparral, and grasslands. Locally, it is found in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts and nearby mountain ranges between 2,400 and 5,000 feet elevation.

Cold tolerant to 15°F, this shrub is an excellent choice for drought-tolerant and wildlife gardens or natural landscaping designs. After the first summer establishment period, it requires limited to no irrigation. In the low desert, some supplemental irrigation and filtered shade during summer can help it thrive.

Wildlife Value
Encelia actoni supports a diverse range of desert wildlife, especially pollinators and birds native to the Colorado and Mojave Deserts.

Host Plant: Supports native pollinators; specific butterfly larval hosts are less documented but important for local insect diversity.

Nectar Source: Attracts native bees including Anthophora spp. and Megachile spp. (solitary bees).
Attracts butterflies such as Speyeria callippe (Callippe Silverspot) and Euphydryas editha (Variable Checkerspot).

Bird Resources: Provides seeds and insect prey for insectivorous birds.
Offers cover and potential nesting habitat for small birds.

Bird Species: Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), a generalist found in gardens and urban areas; Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae), a desert specialist that depends on native desert plants; Archilochus alexandri (Black-chinned Hummingbird) and Selasphorus rufus (Rufous Hummingbird) feed on nectar.

Other local insectivorous birds include Aimophila ruficeps (Rufous-crowned Sparrow) and Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow).

Bees: Supports native solitary bees such as Anthophora spp. and Megachile spp.
Also visited by Apis mellifera (European Honeybee) when present.

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None.

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.