Heart leaved keckiella
Keckiella cordifolia
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
Fast, Medium, Slow; Adaptable.
3–7ft tall , 3–6ft wide
Mar-Aug
Deciduous
Resistant
Prized
Sierra Nevada foothills and inner Coast Ranges from Kern County to Butte County, 1000-5000 ft elevation in chaparral and oak woodlands.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your heart leaved keckiella in fall or winter for best establishment. If you're in a cooler coastal Bay Area location, give it full sun; if you're inland where it gets hot, part shade is better - especially on shady slopes. This plant adapts to any soil type as long as it drains reasonably well, so don't stress about amending. Space it 3 to 6 feet wide since it sprawls and can reach over 6 feet tall.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer, then taper off to once a month or less by the second year - this plant is drought-tolerant once established. Expect the foliage to drop in summer, which is normal; don't panic. Prune as needed to shape it, though the data doesn't specify timing. The #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering, especially once the plant looks established - resist the urge and let it dry out between waterings.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Primary larval host plant for this subspecies in coastal California populations
Host plant for caterpillar development in spring; critical during larval feeding period
Early spring nectar forage for queen establishment and worker provisioning
Larval host plant during spring feeding period
Host plant for larval development in spring months
Birds
Early spring breeding season nectar source during return migration to California coast