Carpenteria californica

Carpenteria californica, also known as Californian Carpenteria, is a charming bush that is still relatively rare, probably due to its limited hardiness. This beautiful species, found in Californian scrub vegetation, has lush evergreen foliage and its lightly scented spring flowering, in clusters of large white anemone-like flowers with golden centres, is simply dazzling. In favourable climates, it makes an excellent choice for planting as a specimen, in hedges, or in shrub beds with other drought-tolerant species.

Carpenteria californica belongs to the Hydrangea family and is a cousin to mock oranges and Hydrangeas. It is native to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows on dry, gravelly slopes, sometimes at the edge of oak and pine forests, up to an altitude of 1300m (4265ft). In the wild, the plant can reach a height of 5 to 6m (16ft 5in to 19ft 8in), but in our gardens, it rarely exceeds 3m (9ft 10in) in height and spread. It can tolerate brief frosts of around -8°C (17.6 °F), in well-drained soil and sheltered positions.

A slow-growing shrub with an upright, slightly spreading habit, Carpenteria californica has evergreen foliage that is dark olive green and glossy on the upper side, lighter underneath. Its narrow, lanceolate leaves are pointed and have a downy underside, measuring 8 to 10cm (3.1 to 3.9in) in length. Its bark is brown and peels with age. Flowering occurs from May to July, depending on the climate, and lasts for an average of 6 weeks. The flowers are composed of several pure white 5-petalled flowers, 5cm (2in) in diameter, in the shape of a cup, open to a golden yellow stamen centre. They are lightly scented and resemble Japanese anemones. After pollination by insects, small tough capsules containing numerous difficult-to-germinate seeds are formed.

Carpenteria californica can be planted as a hedge, in beds, as a specimen, or trained against a wall. This Mediterranean climate shrub thrives in gardens in Brittany or southern France, as long as it is planted in rocky, well-drained soil with minimal limestone. Easy to grow, it is mainly susceptible to excess water in winter, just like large Cistus, Oleanders, and other evergreen Ceanothus, with which it creates beautiful spring and summer scenes. In colder climates, it can be grown in a large pot, like a conservatory plant.