How to Grow Tree Anemone
Carpenteria californica
Carpenteria californica is a beautiful evergreen wall shrub from California, bearing large fragrant white flowers with golden stamens in summer. In the UK it must have a sheltered south- or west-facing wall — it will not thrive in open, exposed positions. Plant in well-drained soil, feed lightly in spring, and prune only lightly after flowering to remove dead or crossing stems. Given the right warm wall, it is a long-lived, low-maintenance shrub.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Light balanced feed in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which promote leafy growth over flowers.
Watch For
- Scale insects on stems
- Powdery mildew in dry summers
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, sheltered wall
Requires a warm, sheltered south- or west-facing wall in the UK. Full sun is essential for flowering and to ripen wood sufficiently to withstand winter.
Watering
Moderate, well-drained
Water regularly to establish. Once settled, water during prolonged dry spells but do not allow to sit in wet soil — good drainage is essential.
Pruning
Light tidy after flowering
Remove dead, damaged or crossing stems after flowering. Avoid hard pruning which can set the plant back badly.
Mulching
Annual mulch at base
Mulch around the base annually with compost to conserve moisture and protect roots.
