Tree Anemone

Carpenteria

Carpenteria californica
A evergreen shrub, reaching up to 8 feet in height, that is native to Fresno county in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Some records include: largest on record - 20 x 15 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. It is the only species in the genus Carpenteria.
The lance-shaped to narrow oblong leaves, up to 5 x 1 inches in size, are glossy deep green above, whitish and felted lightly below.
The very fragrant, pure white flowers, up to 4 inches across, are borne during early summer.
The bark is papery.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( 7 ) preferring a hot sunny site ( tolerates partial shade ) with deep, light, well drained soil with little water during summer. Prefers good air circulation and a climate with 20 or more inches of rainfall in a year. Overhead irrigation can cause fungal disease. It thrives in the Pacific Northwest as well as in most Mediterranean climates around the world. The bark is burned off at 2 F. It will freeze to the ground at 0 F but recovered vigorously during spring. In mild climates where it does not freeze back, it can still be cut back to near ground level during early spring to renew. Rarely eaten by deer.
Cuttings don't root easily however it can also be propagated from seed during fall or spring.

* photos taken by Jean Pawek @ CalPhotos

* historical archive photo

'Bodnant'
Even hardier, tolerating below 0 F with winter dieback. Known to grow even as far north as southern Ontario.

'Elizabeth'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet in 5 years, eventually up to 8 x 15 feet.
The more profuse flowers are smaller and borne on dense clusters.