< Back

Parish's Goldeneye

Bahiopsis parishii

Parish's Goldeneye

Out of stock

2x2

Sizes:

Parish's Goldeneye - Bahiopsis parishii
Also known as: Parish’s Goldeneye; Shrubby Goldeneye
Synonym: Viguiera parishii

A bright and cheerful desert shrub, Parish's Goldeneye is native to the southwestern deserts of the United States and northern Mexico, including the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, where it naturally grows on rocky slopes, washes, flats, and among creosote scrub communities. It forms a rounded mound typically reaching 2–4 feet tall and wide, with slender stems covered in small gray-green leaves that have a slightly rough texture. From fall through spring - and often after rain at other times of year - it bursts into bloom with sunny yellow daisy-like flowers that seem to glow against the desert landscape. Its naturally tidy shape and long bloom season make it an excellent choice for adding color to the garden when many other desert plants are resting.

Parish's Goldeneye thrives in full sun, reflected heat, and well-drained sandy or rocky soils. Once established, it requires very little supplemental water and handles both drought and desert heat with ease. It is cold-hardy to around 10–15°F and performs best when not overwatered. Easy to grow and reliably colorful, it is a wonderful addition to pollinator gardens, desert borders, and naturalistic habitat plantings.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: California Patch (Chlosyne californica); Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
Nectar Source: Native bees; butterflies; other generalist pollinators
Bird Resources: Seeds; Cover/Shelter; Insect Foraging Habitat
Bird Species: Attracts songbirds and is frequently recommended for bird-friendly gardens, though species-specific use is not well documented.

Plant Care

Native region:

Local; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

2x2

Growth rate:

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Fall; Winter; Spring

Pruning:

Cold Hardiness:

15 degrees

Nectar-producing:

Attracts pollinators:

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

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.