Viguiera Lacinata San Diego Sunflower

Hello All! This native took right off in the Spring; my problem is that it looks very unkempt. Many of the stalks are 5` tall; the rest are resembling an open bag of snakes! I`d rather not cut them back for their bloom. From a 1 gallon container, the plant has grown to 6` wide, 18' deep and some are 5` high. Is there anything else I can do to make them look a little more pleasing to the eye? Many thanks for taking the time to respond! AlainUSDA 9BSunset #19 </p>

What you`re describing is the typical native plant on steroids - i.e. amended soil and/or on drip. If this isn`t the case, then sounds like simple overwatering. A Viguiera should be about 3 feet in diameter. The ones I planted at Rincon MWD are about that size after 6 years or so. I do like to give them a hair-cut once a year after blooming. If you are on drip, turn it off! No drought tolerant native should be on a drip system, period. They want rainfall - i.e. overhead water rotaries. If you are not on drip, then back off on your watering and put a couple of large rocks next to the plant right on the rootball and cut it back to about 24 inches. If your soil was amended, you`ve probably got a 2 year wonder on its way to blowing up. If you need another one, they have them at Las Pilitas Nursery in Escondido. Hope this helps.</p>