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Baccharis angustifolia -- Saltwater False Willow

Book Info: I could not find a lot on this shrub, but it is a relative of the much more common and widespread B. halimifolia, or Groundsel Tree (also called Sea Myrtle). Groundsel is usually seen in sunny, damp areas and is often overlooked until fall when the female plants are covered in white fluffy seed clusters. Size range is 10-12 feet and I would guess that B. angustifolia is similar in those characteristics. However it has very thin, linear leaves.

Personal Info: Though Groundsel is more common, my experience is with one Saltwater False Willow growing in my front yard. Beautifully green throughout the year with its delicate foliage, it often draws comments and questions from visitors. I cut it back fairly often in the summer and it responds very well. It is especially a joy for a few weeks in late fall when it flowers -- not because it is all that showy, but because it draws amazing numbers and wide variety of insects with masses of little cream colored flowers -- including many insects I rarely or never see at any other time. Wasps, bees, flies, flower flies, butterflies -- one October morning I found six Monarch butterflies hanging in it at once. It is fun to just sit and watch all the activity that goes on during a relatively short flowering time. The plant I have does not get wind-blown seeds, I'm guessing that is because it is a male plant.

Update: As much as I like this shrub, I had been told it was not long lasting. It had reduced bloom in fall 2007 and was not looking its best anymore so I removed it when doing some front yard renovation in early 2008 to try some different plants. I would still heartily recommend it and will happily add another sometime in the future.