Golden Eye
Bahiopsis parishii
A compact Sonoran Desert native with cheerful yellow daisy flowers that attract butterflies in spring and summer.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; a low- and Mohave-desert native that tolerates hard sun and heat and is root-hardy through typical Phoenix frosts.
AMWUA Notes
A very-low-water Sonoran and Mohave native; thrives on neglect and reblooms with each rain event.
Care Guide
Very low water once established; water every 2-3 weeks in summer only, and lean drier to avoid a rangy, floppy habit.
Shear or head back by a third after the main bloom flush to keep it compact and to spur reblooming; it responds well to a hard late-winter cutback.
No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Trouble-free; no significant pests in desert plantings.
Semi-deciduous in cold or drought, it carries bright yellow daisies mainly in spring and again after summer rains, going leggy if left unpruned.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
From seed; self-sows in favorable spots.
3 ft
Shallow, non-aggressive roots; no hardscape concern.
Placement Tips
- •Compact at about 3 ft; space 3 ft apart and mass for a mounded yellow drift in a native bed.
- •Great filler among cacti, boulders, and accents in a low-water Sonoran design.
- •Clean and low-litter enough for pool surrounds and pathway edges.
- •Keep it pruned periodically or it opens up and flops; site in full, hot sun.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Golden Eye. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Golden Eye — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Golden Eye need in Phoenix?
Golden Eye is a very low-water shrub once established. Very low water once established; water every 2-3 weeks in summer only, and lean drier to avoid a rangy, floppy habit. A very-low-water Sonoran and Mohave native; thrives on neglect and reblooms with each rain event.
How big does Golden Eye get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 3 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-aggressive roots; no hardscape concern.
Can you plant Golden Eye near a pool?
Yes. Golden Eye is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Golden Eye handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Golden Eye is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; a low- and Mohave-desert native that tolerates hard sun and heat and is root-hardy through typical Phoenix frosts. Semi-deciduous in cold or drought, it carries bright yellow daisies mainly in spring and again after summer rains, going leggy if left unpruned.
Does Golden Eye have thorns?
No. Golden Eye is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Golden Eye safe around pets?
Golden Eye is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Golden Eye bloom in Arizona?
Golden Eye blooms in spring-summer, with yellow flowers. The bloom draws butterflies.
How much maintenance does Golden Eye need?
Golden Eye is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear or head back by a third after the main bloom flush to keep it compact and to spur reblooming; it responds well to a hard late-winter cutback.
What kind of soil does Golden Eye need?
Rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Is Golden Eye native to Arizona?
Yes. Golden Eye is native to Arizona and to the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.