Family: Hydrangeaceae
Common Name: Tree Anemone

This evergreen shrub from California, with its deep green leaves and fragrant, pure white flowers, can be extremely beautiful if the plant is growing under the right conditions. The summer flowers resemble single roses or anemones.

Species

C. californica is the only species. It has narrow, soft, deep green leaves, grayish-green on the undersides, and fragrant, white flowers, with gold centers, borne in clusters of five or six.

Cultivation

Though it is not widely known to the average gardener, the tree anemone is ideally suited to both warm and cooler climates. Plant in the spring or the autumn in well-drained garden soil, which is slightly sandy, in a sunny position. Give regular, deep waterings, though do not water too often during the growing season. Apply a general purpose, slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Prune hack any overlong shoots after the plants have finished flowering. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in the summer.

Climate

Zone 7.