Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
Care
full sun
very low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Tolerant of sand and clay.
3–13ft tall , 1–8ft wide
Mar-Aug
Evergreen
Resistant
Chaparral throughout California ranges from Oregon border to San Diego County, 500-6000 ft elevation on dry slopes.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant chamise in full sun in a location with fast-draining soil - it tolerates sand, clay, and various soil types, so drainage matters more than soil composition. Space plants according to your desired mature size (3–13 feet), keeping in mind that chamise develops deep, wide-spreading roots excellent for slope stabilization. Plant in fall or early winter to let roots establish before the dry season.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer, then transition to no more than twice monthly once established - this plant is exceptionally drought-tolerant once its deep root system develops. The #1 mistake is overwatering: chamise evolved in chaparral conditions and actually becomes MORE fire-resistant with occasional watering rather than regular irrigation, so err on the side of dry. You can prune after flowering (spring through early summer) or after the first year to shape it, and the plant will resprout vigorously from its basal burl if cut back hard.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California state threatened listing
California Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Larvae feed on chamise foliage April-June; primary host plant
Larvae overwinter feeding on chamise foliage; emerge spring
Early spring larvae feed on new growth; critical for early season emergence
Caterpillars feed on chamise leaves; adults emerge mid-summer
Important nectar and pollen source; evergreen flowering throughout year
Fungal gall host; supports gall midges and parasitoid ecology
Specialist bee collecting pollen for larval provisions spring season
Larvae feed on young foliage March-May; form silken tents
Birds
Dense foliage provides nesting and roosting sites year-round; critical winter shelter
Primary seed source, particularly important in late summer-fall when seeds mature
Uses dense chamise for winter cover and foraging in chaparral habitat
Mammals
Harvests and caches seeds; critical food source September-March