Carpenteria californica + cv - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Description

The bush anemone grows into a medium size evergreen shrub commonly reaching 5-6 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide. Leaves are 2-3 in. long, dark green on top and white below. Showy clusters of white flowers with yellow centers occur in early spring.

Bush anemone is a highly popular and successfully cultivated California native plant that is valued for its rich foliage and flowering accent character. It is most often grown with other native plants in residential gardens where it provides a lush and deep green presence. It grows best in well-drained slightly acidic soils, and deep summer watering. Flowering is best when plants are located in sunny areas. One popular cultivar, C. c. 'Elizabeth', has a more vigorous growth habit and produces larger clusters of flowers.

Water Needs

The bush anemone grows well in the Inland Empire with normal winter rainfall and moderate amounts of summer water. The chart below provides a baseline irrigation schedule for this species. It should be noted there are several winter months marked by an asterisk (*) when rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water; higher amounts of water within this range will result in stronger springtime flowering performance and summer foliage character.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Moderate Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 3

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	2x to 3x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	2x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	2" to 3"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	2" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"

Range of supplemental summer water: 9"-16"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

0"-3"

2"-3"

1"-2"

2"-3"

0"-3"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Shrub, Native
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Mounding
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 5 ft. - 6 ft.
Width: 6 ft. - 8 ft.
Water Needs: Moderate 3
Foliage Color: Dark green
Flower Color: White
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Loam, Deep soil, Acidic soil
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Moderate shade, Drought
Function: Specimen, Screening, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Foundations, Foliage accent plant, Flowering accent plant, Espalier, Commercial spaces, Banks, Background plant

Maintenance

For bushier growth, after flowering in late spring, pinch back branches behind the spent flowers (2). This plant can be tricky to grow in Southern California, especially inland. It will burn in too much sun, but not flower much in too much shade. If you want to try growing it, under tall deciduous trees, or on the north side of a building (especially if it will also get some western afternoon shade) may be the most suitable locations to try in inland gardens.

References