High Tide Bush, Baccharis halimifolia

A deciduous shrub that grows up to 12 ft and requires full sun to part shade, High Tide Bush (also commonly known as Groundsel Tree) has numerous branches that grow from short trunks that are covered densely with branchlets. Its gray-green oval leaves contrast against white to green flowers that occur in small, dense, terminal clusters. Silvery, plume-like achenes resembling silvery paintbrushes appear in the fall on female plants. In the landscape, Groundsel Tree is well-suited as filler material. It is one of the few eastern shrubs suitable for planting near the ocean.

Marsh wrens and other small birds nest in openly branched, brittle stems.

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