This native bird favorite is a tough and useful shrub with beautiful silvery gray foliage. Growing 5 ft. or more tall and spreading widely, quail bush is valued for its ability to deal with difficult sites where it tolerates wind, salt spray, saline and alkaline soils. A terrific habitat plant, providing food and cover for a wide array of birds and mammals. Native from the coast to the desert. Excellent for erosion control and is fire resistant. Benefits from annual shearing and occasional aggressive pruning to rejuvenate. Plant in full sun with occasional to little summer water.
"We love saltbush! This drought hardy evergreen shrub is a wildlife habitat superstar, providing food and shelter for numerous birds, small mammals, and insects. No need for backyard bird feeders as saltbush provides plenty of leaves and seeds for quail, finches, sparrows, towhees and other birds. Adult finches are especially fond of the tender tips, consuming it for themselves as well as feeding it to their young."
Veronica Bowers, Director
Native Songbird Care & Conservation