< Back

Acton Brittlebush

Encelia actoni

false

1 gallon

Plant Care

Acton Brittlebush

Out of stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

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

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Yes

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.

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on my research from reliable sources, observations I have made of plants growing in my, and other gardens I have visited, and observations of the plants in their native habitats. I would appreciate your feedback and experience to help me educate others!

Cacti: In my experience, cacti are much happier in the filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Colors are more vibrant and they bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you pay attention to how our native barrel and beavertail opuntia grow in the wild, it is frequently tucked in the rocks under creosote or another shrub.

Light Requirements: I have found that in our desert (Sonoran/Colorado) “full sun” plants can take and appreciate the late afternoon filtered sun, especially in the hot summer months.