Fendler’s Ceanothus

(Ceanothus fendleri)

Fendler’s Ceanothus (Ceanothus fendleri)

JerryFriedman

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: JerryFriedman

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: JerryFriedman | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: JerryFriedman | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Ceanothus_fendleri1.jpg | Notes: Photo of ''[[Ceanothus ophiochilus]]'' [[Regional Parks Botanic Garden]], Berkeley, California, taken April 2007 by [[User:Stan Shebs]] {{Stan Shebs photo}} |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Ceanothus fendleri, commonly known as Fendler’s Ceanothus, is an evergreen shrub native to chaparral, mountainous areas, and pine forests in the Southwestern USA and Northwestern Mexico. It is a compact plant that seldom exceeds 1 m (3.3 ft) in height and width, with a dense, rounded form. The small, white flowers are about 2 mm across and are borne in thick clusters from the leaf axils, especially on older stems. These clusters create a showy display when they all open simultaneously, typically in June or July, although flowering can occur from April to October depending on altitude and weather. The flowers have five spoon-shaped or hooded petals, each partly covering a stamen, characteristic of the genus. The fruits are distinctive three-celled capsules, pink and glossy, forming a rounded equilateral triangle with the stem at the center, ripening in August and September. Upon drying, the pods exhibit explosive dehiscence to disperse seeds forcefully.

Fendler’s Ceanothus is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings in arid regions. It is also used for erosion control on slopes and banks. This shrub is a low-maintenance plant that attracts pollinators when in bloom and provides habitat for wildlife. It requires full sun to part shade, low to medium water once established, and well-drained soils. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained conditions. There are no widely known popular garden cultivars of this species.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 4-6 feet
Width: 3-6 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to chaparral, mountainous areas, and pine forests in the Southwestern USA and Northwestern Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Fendler’s Buckbrush, Deer Brier

Scientific Names: , Ceanothus fendleri, Ceanothus fendleri var. venosus, Ceanothus fendleri var. viridis, Ceanothus fendleri var. fendleri, Ceanothus endlichii, Ceanothus subsericeus, Ceanothus fendleri subsp. venosus,

GBIF Accepted Name: Ceanothus fendleri A.Gray