Baccharis halimifolia

If you need a large native shrub that makes a splash in fall, why not opt for this U.S. native, grown here from Rhode Island seed?  Female plants in particular put on quite the show in autumn, covering themselves with plumy silver-white seedheads that put most flowering shrubs to shame.  The floral sprays of male plants are more quietly ornamental (and of course are not followed by self-sowing, which usually occurs when a female is present).  Both males and females also spread gradually by suckering.  Largely a coastal plant in the wild, it's fine with damp soil and high salinity.  Our plants are unsexed seedlings.

Sun; damp to average soil (drought tolerant); 9'x9'; fall; RI native; Zone 3

Propagated from seed; deep 3.5-inch pots

Photo: abookb