Barneby’s Serpentweed: A Rare Utah Native Worth Protecting in Your Garden
Meet Barneby’s serpentweed (Tonestus kingii var. barnebyana), a charming yet elusive native wildflower that calls Utah’s unique landscapes home. This petite perennial might not be the showiest plant in the garden center, but for native plant enthusiasts and conservation-minded gardeners, it represents something special: a rare piece of Utah’s natural heritage that deserves our attention and protection.
What Makes Barneby’s Serpentweed Special?
This delicate perennial forb belongs to the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and produces small, daisy-like blooms that add subtle beauty to any native landscape. As a herbaceous plant without woody stems, it dies back to the ground each winter and returns faithfully each spring – assuming it’s given the right conditions to thrive.
What truly sets Barneby’s serpentweed apart isn’t just its beauty, but its rarity. With a conservation status of S3T1, this plant is considered of conservation concern, making every garden specimen a small but meaningful contribution to the species’ survival.
Where Does It Come From?
Barneby’s serpentweed is a true Utah endemic, found nowhere else in the world. This makes it extra special for Beehive State gardeners who want to showcase plants that are truly unique to their region. The plant has adapted to Utah’s specific climate and soil conditions over thousands of years.
Should You Grow Barneby’s Serpentweed?
The Conservation Consideration: Before we dive into growing tips, there’s an important caveat. Due to its rarity status, you should only plant Barneby’s serpentweed if you can source it responsibly. This means:
- Purchase only from reputable native plant nurseries
- Ensure plants are nursery-propagated, not wild-collected
- Never collect seeds or plants from wild populations
- Consider this plant an investment in conservation
Why It’s Worth Growing: If you can source it ethically, Barneby’s serpentweed offers several benefits:
- Supports local pollinators with its daisy-like flowers
- Requires minimal water once established
- Adds authentic Utah character to native landscapes
- Helps preserve a rare species through cultivation
Perfect Garden Settings
Barneby’s serpentweed isn’t a plant for every garden, but it shines in the right setting:
- Rock gardens: Its compact size and drought tolerance make it ideal for rocky, well-draining spots
- Native plant gardens: Perfect for Utah-focused native landscapes
- Xeriscaping: Excellent choice for water-wise gardening
- Conservation gardens: Ideal for gardeners focused on preserving rare species
Growing Conditions and Care
Like many Utah natives, Barneby’s serpentweed has adapted to challenging conditions, which actually makes it relatively low-maintenance once you understand its needs:
Soil Requirements: The key to success is exceptional drainage. This plant likely evolved in rocky or serpentine soils, so heavy clay or moisture-retentive soils will spell disaster. Consider raised beds or rocky slopes.
Water Needs: Once established, this drought-tolerant native needs very little supplemental water. Overwatering is more likely to kill it than drought.
Sun Exposure: Full sun is likely preferred, matching its natural habitat conditions.
Climate Tolerance: Being a Utah native, it’s well-adapted to cold winters and hot, dry summers (likely hardy in USDA zones 4-7).
Planting and Care Tips
- Plant in spring after the last frost date
- Amend heavy soils with coarse sand and gravel for drainage
- Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then reduce watering
- Avoid fertilizers – native plants typically don’t need them
- Allow the plant to go dormant naturally in winter
- Be patient – rare plants often grow slowly
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
As a member of the sunflower family, Barneby’s serpentweed likely provides nectar and pollen for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. While specific wildlife benefits aren’t well-documented, most Asteraceae family plants are valuable pollinator resources.
The Bottom Line
Barneby’s serpentweed isn’t a plant for everyone, but for the right gardener – one who values rarity, supports conservation, and can provide proper growing conditions – it’s a meaningful addition to the landscape. Just remember: only grow this special plant if you can source it responsibly. Every garden specimen helps ensure this Utah treasure continues to grace our landscapes for future generations.
Consider Barneby’s serpentweed not just as a garden plant, but as a living piece of Utah’s natural heritage that you’re helping to preserve, one garden at a time.
