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    • Photo of Ephedra equisetina foliage by Plant Select®

    Photo by Plant Select®

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Ephedra equisetina

    Also Known As

    • Bluestem Joint Fir

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 4'-6'
    • W: 3'-8'

    planting zones

    • 4b-9b

    More Options

    Ephedra equisetina plant details

    Ephedra equisetina is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with blue and green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Ephedra equisetina

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: ephedraceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue and green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
    Uses: winter interest, xeric, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Ephedra equisetina

    USDA Zones: 4b - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Finely textured blue-green stems with a conspicuous froth of yellow blooms often followed by red berries. Related to conifers. Bluestem joint fir is extremely heat and drought tolerant. Dense branching provides excellent winter interest. Shrub. Xeriscape. Garden loam, clay or sandy soil. USDA zones 4b-9 (up to 7,000').

    By: Plant Select®

    Gardening facts about Ephedra equisetina plant

    How to Grow Ephedra equisetina

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • red

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Ephedra for your garden

    Ephedra californica

    aka California Ephedra, California Jointfir, Cañatillo, Desert Tea

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-5'

    Width: 6'-20'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ephedra californica foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Ephedra viridis

    aka Green Jointfir, Mormon Tea

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'

    Width: 3'

    • sun
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ephedra viridis foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

    Ephedra regeliana

    aka Miniature Joint Fir

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-7b

    Size

    Height: 6"

    Width: 6"

    • sun
    • low
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ephedra regeliana form by James roberts
    View Plant

    More Options

    Ephedra minuta

    aka Dwarf Joint Fir

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"

    Width: 12"

    • sun
    • low
    Photo of Ephedra minuta by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Ephedra chilensis

    aka Ephedra americana andina, Ephedra americana v. andina, Ephedra andina, Pingo Pingo

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-5'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Ephedra chilensis form by Heretiq
    View Plant

    More Options

    +5 more Ephedra
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