Bush anemone (tree anemone) Carpenteria californica
Bush anemone (tree anemone) (Carpenteria californica) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family, native to A few foothill sites between the San Joaquin and Kings rivers, Fresno County, California. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Bush anemone (tree anemone) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Hydrangeaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | A few foothill sites between the San Joaquin and Kings rivers, Fresno County, California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Bush anemone (tree anemone) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bush anemone (tree anemone)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Bush anemone (tree anemone)
- How far apart should I plant Bush anemone (tree anemone)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft).
- Does Bush anemone (tree anemone) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bush anemone (tree anemone) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bush anemone (tree anemone)?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Bush anemone (tree anemone) flower?
- From about May for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bush anemone (tree anemone) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Bush anemone (tree anemone)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bush anemone (tree anemone). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A California native of the chaparral and foothills: it grows through the mild, wet winter and rests in the dry summer, when it should be left unwatered once established.
- A rare evergreen with narrow dark leaves and fragrant, anemone-like white flowers with a boss of golden stamens in early summer. Wild in only a tiny area of the Sierra foothills, it is long cultivated in gardens from California to Britain.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Mock orange Philadelphus coronarius
- Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata
- Smooth hydrangea 'Annabelle' Hydrangea arborescens
- Climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
- Slender deutzia (himeutsugi) Deutzia gracilis
- Mountain hydrangea (yama-ajisai) Hydrangea serrata
- Yellow wax bells (kirenga-shōma) Kirengeshoma palmata