Vauquelinia californica
Arizona rosewood
Rosaceae Family
young shrubby form trained as a tree Form: large vase-shaped shrub; can be trained to either single or multistemmed tree
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 5-25ft, spread 4-15ft; moderate to rapid growth
Leaves: lancolate, alternate, 4in long, high degree of serration, glossy dark green on top, lighter underneath, red petioles, somewhat leathery
Flowers: dense white clusters on branch terminals, white, 2-3in across; bloom in early spring
Fruit: seeds enclosed in capsules; persistent
Stems/Trunks: stems are red; new tissue has bronzy color
Range/Origin: southern Arizona, Baja California, and northern Mexico
Hardiness: low teens
serrated leaf margin on Vauquelinia californica (also note red petiole and stems) LANDSCAPE VALUE:
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:
- barrier plant
- hedge
- small patio tree
- medians and streetsides
- Exposure: full sun to part shade; takes reflected heat
- Water: infrequent; best landscape quality with 1 irrigation per week
- Soil: best in uniform deep soil; okay in rocky and loose soils
- Propagation: vegetative cuttings, seed (character may vary)
- Maintenance: low; pruning to tree shape if desired
NOTES:
recommended as an alternative to oleander
quality only appreciated in landscapes because it is difficult to keep specimens looking nice in nursery pots
typically does not show much progress for first season in ground, but once established is an attractive plant with moderate growth rate
flowers on Vauquelinia californica
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This page was first created June 11, 2001 and last modified March 25, 2005.
Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net© 2004 Arizona Board of Regents. All contents copyrighted. All rights reserved.
