Carpenteria californica ‘Elizabeth’

Carpenteria californica is a lonely species taxonomically, being the only member of its genus, and geographically, being found in the wild at only seven sites in Fresno and Madera counties in California. ‘Elizabeth’ is a stunning shrub that grows up to 6-8 feet tall with flaky bark on older stems and masses of flowers. The large anemone-like flowers are pure white clustered with yellow stamens. The evergreen leaves are lance-shaped, glossy green above, blue-green to whitish and downy beneath. It is closely related to Philadelphus, the mock oranges. Plant in dry soils. Has overwintered easily in Vancouver planted up against a cedar hedge facing south for more than a decade and through many cold snap winters.