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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: Steve Mullany

Description

This CA native is a dense, clean evergreen shrub that grows 6'-10' high and wide. It is tolerant of sun or shade. It has white fragrant flowers during spring.

Maintenance Tips

Carpenteria californica is an evergreen California native that can get 6-10' tall and wide. It has a nice upright growth habit with fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring. To keep this plant looking and performing its best, it should be planted in full sun near the coast and in half shade in more inland locations. It only needs minimal pruning for shape if it is given the space it needs to reach its mature size. The plant is susceptible to aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Since it is highly attractive to bees and butterflies, pesticides should be avoided if the aphids are present. A hard jet of water a few times over a week can be very effective in knocking off the pests without harming the beneficial insects. This plant is also susceptible to root rot so avoid overwatering during the hottest months of the year.