California flannelbush (fremontia) Fremontodendron californicum
California flannelbush (fremontia) (Fremontodendron californicum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Malvaceae family, native to Foothills and mountains of California, Arizona and Baja California. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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California flannelbush (fremontia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Foothills and mountains of California, Arizona and Baja California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is California flannelbush (fremontia) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: hairs on leaves, stems and seed pods
Covered in fine, brown, star-shaped hairs that irritate skin, eyes and lungs: wear long sleeves, gloves and a mask when pruning.
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 California flannelbush (fremontia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about California flannelbush (fremontia)
- How far apart should I plant California flannelbush (fremontia)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft).
- Does California flannelbush (fremontia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does California flannelbush (fremontia) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is California flannelbush (fremontia)?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does California flannelbush (fremontia) flower?
- From about April for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is California flannelbush (fremontia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Covered in fine, brown, star-shaped hairs that irritate skin, eyes and lungs: wear long sleeves, gloves and a mask when pruning.
- What grows well with California flannelbush (fremontia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for California flannelbush (fremontia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) 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 fast evergreen shrub smothered in late spring with big, saucer-shaped golden flowers (sepals, not petals). Dies if watered in summer and is short-lived (10–15 years); in Britain it is trained against a sunny wall.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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