Brickellbush: A Lesser-Known Native Gem for Southwestern Gardens
If you’re passionate about native gardening in the American Southwest, you might want to get acquainted with brickellbush (Brickelliastrum). This unassuming little perennial shrub is one of those quiet natives that doesn’t make a big fuss but has been quietly thriving in the desert landscapes of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for countless years.
What Exactly is Brickellbush?
Brickellbush is a low-growing perennial shrub that keeps things modest in the size department. You can expect this little trooper to stay under 1.5 feet tall most of the time, and even at its most ambitious, it won’t exceed 3 feet in height. It’s the kind of plant that prefers to blend into the landscape rather than demand center stage – which, honestly, can be exactly what some garden designs need.
Where Does Brickellbush Call Home?
This native beauty has made itself at home across three southwestern states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. If you live in these areas and you’re trying to create a landscape that truly belongs to your region, brickellbush represents an authentic choice that’s been part of your local ecosystem long before any of us started thinking about native gardening.
Why Consider Planting Brickellbush?
Here’s where I have to be honest with you – brickellbush is a bit of a mystery plant when it comes to detailed cultivation information. It’s not the kind of plant you’ll find detailed care sheets for at your typical garden center. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering, especially if you’re committed to supporting native biodiversity.
The main reasons to consider brickellbush include:
- It’s genuinely native to the southwestern United States
- As a desert native, it’s likely quite drought-tolerant once established
- Its modest size makes it suitable for smaller spaces or as part of mixed native plantings
- You’d be supporting local ecosystem relationships that have developed over thousands of years
The Challenge: Limited Growing Information
Here’s the thing about brickellbush – it’s not exactly what you’d call a well-documented garden plant. While we know it’s a hardy perennial that grows naturally in southwestern desert conditions, specific details about its preferred soil types, water needs, sun requirements, and care instructions aren’t readily available in standard gardening references.
This could be seen as either an adventure or a drawback, depending on your gardening personality. If you’re the type who likes detailed growing guides and predictable results, you might want to stick with better-documented native options for now.
Making an Educated Guess About Growing Conditions
Based on its native range in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, we can make some reasonable assumptions about what brickellbush probably prefers:
- Full sun to partial sun exposure
- Well-draining, possibly sandy or rocky soils
- Low to moderate water needs once established
- Tolerance for hot, dry conditions
- Likely hardy in USDA zones typical for its native range (probably zones 7-9, but this is an educated guess)
Is Brickellbush Right for Your Garden?
Brickellbush might be perfect for you if:
- You live in Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas and want authentic natives
- You’re creating a low-water, xeriscape-style garden
- You enjoy experimenting with lesser-known plants
- You have experience with other southwestern native shrubs
- You’re committed to supporting local wildlife and ecosystems
However, you might want to consider other options if:
- You prefer plants with well-established cultivation information
- You’re new to native gardening and want reliable, beginner-friendly choices
- You live outside its native range
- You need specific timing for flowering or other garden design elements
The Bottom Line
Brickellbush represents one of those interesting native plant challenges – it’s authentically native and likely well-adapted to southwestern conditions, but it hasn’t made the jump into mainstream horticulture yet. If you’re an adventurous gardener in Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas, and you can source it responsibly, it could be a wonderful addition to a native plant collection.
Just remember that you’ll be somewhat pioneering its use in cultivation, so start small, observe how it responds in your specific conditions, and maybe connect with local native plant societies or botanical gardens to share your experiences. Who knows? You might help bring this quiet native into wider recognition among southwestern gardeners.
