Garden information sheet - California adolphia

1. *California adolphia – Adolphia californica (ad-OL-fee-uh ka-li-FOR-ni-kuh)
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
Native to: San Diego County and Baja; dry canyons and washes, fields, arroyos and hillsides near
seeps and streambeds in coastal scrub and chaparral below 1000 ft.
Growth characteristics: part-woody sub-shrub mature height: 3-5 ft. mature width: 4-5 ft.
Mounded sub-shrub that is drought-deciduous (or at least partly so). Plants have stout branches and sparse, oval
leaves. Branches are thorn-tipped.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in winter-spring, Dec.-Apr. Abundant flowers are small, with five cream-
colored sepals and small, cream-colored petals. Pretty when viewed close up, and plants are pretty
in bloom, particularly when massed.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used for restoration and in wildland interface gardens in San Diego Co.
Could be used as a barrier plant or informal hedge. Good habitat plant. Looks nice with other
native shrubs like the Artemisias, Lemonadeberry, Toyon, Manzanitas.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native water-wise shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Good cover for lizards, other small animals.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun
Soil Well-drained, sandy or rocky soils best;
Water None to occasional summer water; Water Zone 1 to 2
Fertilizer none
Other Thin organic or inorganic mulch OK
Management: Plant away from foot traffic; handle with care (due to thorns).
Propagation: from seed: no pre-treatment needed by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 14, 24 10/29/17
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND