Iva hayesiana

Identification

Gallery

Description

An evergreen groundcover in warm winter areas, deciduous in colder areas. It is supposed to spread by rooting stems, but ours after 7 years has not. It is 2-3 ft. tall but can be kept lower by pruning. Somewhat aromatic foliage. Lenz&Dourley in their book Ca. Native Trees& Shrubs says quote, we believe that Hayes Iva is the most promising ground cover to have come along in recent years, unquote. Cold tolerant to 20 F with no damage, 5 F burned the top off of them. I am not sure what the killing temperature is as they seem to come back from all our bad temperatures. Deer do not seem to like Hayes Iva (the plant has a bad odor when brushed). Areas that do not get below 20 degrees Iva can be used in revegetation or where you need a fire resistant, deer proof groundcover as along freeways or alkaline swales.. Hayes Iva has real merit where you have alkalinity or sodium problems. No flowers to speak of, but a nice green groundcover needing little water in places like Bakersfield, Taft or Palm Springs is something to consider. Iva also tolerates drip irrigation well. Mix with Salvia Pozo Blue or Gracias, Desert Mallow or Hummingbird Sage for more color and contrast.