California Flannelbush
Fremontodendron californicum
A fast-growing California native evergreen shrub or small tree covered in large, brilliant golden-yellow saucer-shaped flowers in spring and early summer. Extremely drought tolerant once established; dislikes summer irrigation and heavy clay soils.
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Growing California Flannelbush
Plant it in full sun. It prefers low water. It is hardy in USDA zones 8–11. Expect it to reach about 15 ft tall and 11 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 3 years.
When to plant California Flannelbush
Plant California Flannelbush in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 8 to 11 range, spring means January to March and fall means October or November. Once settled, it blooms from April to July.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 9 in January.
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