Looking for an extremely drought tolerant, fast growing, sweet smelling, native shrub? California sugar bush offers all this and more! This evergreen chaparral shrub grows well on slopes, along foothills, and in dry canyons and mountain areas of southern California. Do you enjoy lemonade on a hot summer day? Sugar bush berries have been traditionally used to make a similar tart drink. Leaves are known for their use in medicinal teas to help with cold symptoms, chest pains, coughs, and even to ease childbirth. What’s more, it’s known to stabilize banks and help control erosion. Lush and green year round, even in the driest season, sugar bush makes a beautiful and useful addition to any California garden.
Growth Form: Dark green shrub with small pink flower clusters. Grows 7-33 ft tall and up to 30 ft wide. Can shape to a smaller size.
Light: Full sun
Water: Low water once established
Soil: Well-drained, sandy loam, tolerates wide variety of soils
Hardiness: USDA zone 7-11, Sunset zones 9-12 and 14-24
Type: Perennial