This California shrub’s pure white flowers cool down the hottest afternoon.
The sparkling white flowers of bush anemone(Carpenteria californica)bring welcome relief to hot afternoons.
It bears clusters of fragrant, 2- to 3-inch white flowers with yellow stamens.
It is tough and thrives on neglect: Dont fertilize it and water only during periods of extended drought.
This rare shrub is accustomed to lengthy, hot, dry summers.
Gardeners who can replicate the plants natural environment can grow it outside California inUSDA Zones810.
Dig a hole large enough for the transplants root system to fit without being crowded.
Place the transplant in the hole and fill around it with the soil you removed from the hole.
Press down gently to remove air pockets.
Water the transplants and continue to water them until they are established.
If planting several shrubs, space them about 6 feet apart.
This drought-tolerant shrub needs water only during periods of extended drought.
However, a single deep watering in midsummer can spur new growth and more blooms.
Fertilizer
Bush anemone shrubs don’t benefit from fertilizer.
Pruning
Bush anemones usually have an attractive rounded shape and need little pruning.
If their habit becomes loose, cut the shrub back by a third after it flowers.
How to Propagate Bush Anemone
Bush anemone can propagated bystem cuttingsor seed.
Make the cut just below a leaf node.
Remove any foliage from the bottom half of the stem and dip the end inrooting hormone.
Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Seeds: Prepare a seed flat or several small pots with a peat moss and perlite mix.
Thinly sow the seeds atop the mix, and lightly press down on them.
Place the seed tray or pots inbright indirect lightindoors.
Mist the growing media lightly to keep the seed moist.
The seeds germinate in anywhere from a week to a month.
When the seedlings are 2 inches tall, begin bottom watering them and remove any weak seedlings.
Repot the seedlings after they develop their second set of true leaves.
Slowly harden them off outdoors and transplant them when they can tolerate a full day of sun.
Types of Bush Anemone
Elizabeth
Carpenteria californicaElizabeth is the most available cultivar.
It produces more flowersalthough slightly smallerthan other bush anemone shrubs.
The flowers appear in early spring throughout summer and sometimes extend into early fall.
This low-care shrub reaches a height of 6 feet in about five years.
It is cold-hardy to 15F to 20F.
Bodnant
Carpenteria californicaBodnant is an excellent wall shrub.
It is covered with white blooms throughout the warm summer months.
This slow grower takes about 10 years to reach a full height of 8 feet.
It is bee-friendly and attracts butterflies and moths.
Bodnant tolerates temperatures as low as 23F.
Ladhams Variety
Carpenteria californicaLadhams Variety bears large 3-inch flowers in spring and summer.
Like bush anemone, once manzanita is established, it doesnt need to be watered in the summer.
California Bay Laurel
Adaptable and easy to grow,California bay laurelis native to the West Coast.
Desert Mallow
Brighten a hot, dry garden with easy-caredesert mallow.
Like bush anemone, desert mallow grows best with limited watering.
It bears 2-foot-tall spikes of orange flowers almost year-round, and it thrives in full sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although bush anemone flowers resemble those of anemones, they are different plants.
Both fall-bloomingJapanese anemonesandbulb-pop in anemonesare part of theAnemonegenus, whereas bush anemones are in theCarpenteriagenus.
Remove the dry leaves to improve the plant’s appearance.
