Carpenteria

Carpenteria (Latin Carpenteria) — a genus of evergreen plants of the family Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangeaceae). The genus comprises a single species - Carpenteria californica (Carpenteria californica).

Natural range — the southern regions of North America, endemic to Fresno and Madera counties (Fresno and Madera).
The genus was named in honor of the naturalist and botanist Dr. William Marbury Carpenter (Dr. William Marbury Carpenter).

A perennial, evergreen shrub or small tree reaching about 3 m in height. Crown spherical; trunk and older branches are covered with easily peeling bark.

Leaves opposite, lanceolate, up to 10 cm long and 2 cm wide, green, glossy above, glaucous and hairy beneath. Flowers snow-white, up to 8 cm in diameter, with 5-8 petals and attractive yellow stamens. Blooms abundantly from late spring to mid-summer. Fruit – a leathery capsule 6-12 mm in diameter, containing numerous seeds.

Location: Requires a warm, well-lit site protected from winds.

Soil: not demanding; grows on any garden soils, but grows more readily on fertile soils.

Care: does not require special care. If necessary, fertilizer can be applied during the spring-summer period when the plant is actively growing. Bear in mind that the plant is rather tender, tolerating frosts no lower than -15°C. In winter it needs very good protection or relocation to a conservatory or greenhouse.

Propagation: by seeds, green cuttings, suckers.

Zone: 9-10