Identifying Characteristics: Grows to 6’-20’ high and 5’-12’ wide Leaves are blue-gray-green and palmate Bark is grayish Flowers shade from rosy-lavender to white Blooms from mid-spring to late-summer (and ongoing) Geometric seed capsules age to golden brown
Landscape Values: Fast growth rate Can be tip-pruned for informal hedging/screening or limbed-up as a small “patio tree” Minimal root-heaving of masonry at least two feet away (with deep watering) Attractive evergreen foliage plant (e.g. when out of bloom) Attracts hummingbirds & butterflies Forage for West Coast Lady Butterfly caterpillars
Horticultural Requirements: Full to part sun Drought-tolerant but tolerates garden watering (deep watering maintains foliage during drought) Needs decent drainage (sand to clay loam) Neutral soil acidity/alkalinity (pH 5.5-8.0) Tip-prune intermittently for compactness, if desired, minimizing flower/bud removals Structural (drop) pruning is best done in late-summer, if desired
Native Range: Anacapa, San Clemente, and Santa Catalina Islands
Uses by Native Americans: Raw fruit and boiled leaves used for food
For more information about the N/E/X/T/Garden, where this Featured Native Plant grows, click here. For additional information about this Featured Native Plant, email: Info@PalisadesBeautiful.org.