PlantFiles: Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye
Viguiera stenoloba

Skeleton-leaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba) is also commonly known as resin bush and golden bush. It is found natively growing in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. In Texas, it grows in rocky soil in the Rio Grande Valley to the Edwards Plateau, and west to the Trans-Pecos Region. It has a rounded growth habit. Requiring well-drained soil, it adapts to most soil types, but prefers a neutral to alkaline Ph. The plant is highly drought tolerant. To retain a dense appearance, it needs to be cut back in mid-summer. It is evergreen; however, in the most northern part of its habitat range, it will die back (but it is root hardy). Although it blooms intermittently through the summer after rains, it blooms heavily in the fall (until around October). Deer do not like to browse upon it because the leaves contain aromatic oils. Some species of butterfly larva feast upon it. It is a nectar source for bees, butterflies, moths and other insects. The seed is eaten by granivorous birds and the plant serves as a cover and a nesting site.

Skeleton-leaf goldeneye is a great tall ground cover or small flowering shrub. As a cultivated plant, it benefits from extra irrigation. It can be propagated by softwood tip cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in late spring using only bright green new growth. If the tips have buds, the cuttings may not do well. Seed should be air-dried before storing in a sealed, refrigerated container. It should be sown in late fall or winter.