Local Verdict
"Famous for its candle-like flower spikes in spring and its silvery, sculptural bark in winter. Goes dormant early."
Overview
The California Buckeye is a true seasonal shapeshifter. Lush apple-green leaves emerge in late winter, followed by spectacular plumes of white-to-pink flowers in late spring that attract every butterfly in the county.
By mid-summer, it drops its leaves to survive the heat (summer dormancy), revealing a smooth, silver-grey skeleton that is strikingly beautiful against the dry grass. Large, pear-shaped seed pods hang like ornaments in autumn.
Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Needs
Low
Soil Type
Adaptable, likes slopes
Elevation
Up to 4,000 ft
Care Cheat Sheet
- 01.
Accept Dormancy: Don't panic when leaves brown in July; this is a natural survival strategy.
- 02.
Pollinator Haven: Plant where you can observe the massive influx of native butterflies.
- 03.
Space Out: Can grow as wide as it is tall; give it 20-30 feet of room.
Related Plants
Special Notes
- • All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested; deer completely avoid it.
- • Pollen can be toxic to non-native European honeybees, but native bees thrive on it.