Carpenteria Gardening Tips   
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Carpenteria is a genus of evergreen shrub in the family Hydrangeaceae, containing only one species, Carpenteria californica. It is native to California, and is closely related to genus Philadelphus. The common names includes Tree-anemone and Bush-anemone. The genus Carpenteria was named in honor of Dr. William Marbury Carpenter (25 June 1811- October 1848), a noted Southern natural scientist. Carpenteria californica is endemic to only seven sites in Fresno and Madera Counties, where it grows in chaparral at latitude between 340-1340 m, between the San Joaquin and King Rivers. It adapts well to wildfires, reproducing by stump sprouts after burning, natural seedlings are rare. Carpenteria californica is an attractive shrub, growing to 1-3 m tall, with falky bark on older stems. The glossy leaves are opposite, lanceolate, dark green above, and blue-green to whitish and downy beneath. In late spring to mid summer, it produces large, fragrant, white flowers of 3-7 cm diameter. Each white flower has a prominent cluster of bright yellow stamens and 5-8 petals. The fruit is a leathery capsule 6-12 mm diameter, containing several seeds. Carpenteria californica is a good choice for training as a wall shrub, but left to its own devices, it will eventually grow to about 1.8 m high and across. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens with Mediterranean climates, grown for its fragrant flowers and glossy foliage. A few cultivars have been developed. 'Ladham's Variety' is a strongly growing, free-flowering shrubs, with flowers to 8 cm across. 'Bodnant' is a cold tolerant cultivar hardy to -15°C in the British Isles. Plant Carpenteria in full sun and in well-drained soil. They are largely trouble-free shrubs, but they do need a sheltered site, especially in exposed gardens where strong cold winds will cause damage to the plants. For this reason, they are often grown as wall shrubs as long as they have plenty of space to develop. Propagation is by seed in autumn, and semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Check for fungal leaf spot as this disease is known to cause damage to the plants.  Carpenteria californica Author: Stickpen (public domain)  Carpenteria californica Author: Luc Viatour (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Carpenteria californica Author: Kurt Stueber (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0) | ||||
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