California Buckeye

Planting

Plant your California Buckeye in full sun or part shade in fall or winter when the plant is dormant. It tolerates a wide variety of soils - including clay and serpentine - but prefers well-drained soil; if your drainage is slow, amend with compost before planting. Space it generously, as this multi-trunked shrub or small tree can spread 15–40 feet, making it suitable for dry slopes or as a hedge.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer, then transition to minimal supplemental watering once established - mature plants need watering just twice monthly or less in summer. Expect the plant to leaf out in early spring with pale pink or creamy-white flowers by May-June, then drop all its leaves in fall (this is normal, not a sign of trouble). Watch for leaf damage during spring freezes or intense summer heat, and be aware that all parts of the large round fruits that appear in late summer are toxic, so keep them away from children and pets.

Birds

higAllen's Hummingbird

Nectar · Spring

Early spring nectar source during breeding season establishment, May-Jun bloom

modAnna's Hummingbird

Nectar · Spring

Spring nectar during territorial establishment and courtship, May-Jun

modLesser Goldfinch

Seeds · Summer

Late summer seed consumption post-breeding

modOrange-crowned Warbler

Foliage · Spring

Spring migration diet, gleaning insects from foliage

Insects

higBlack-tailed bumblebee

Nectar · Spring

Spring colony establishment and food collection, May-Jun bloom

higHoney bee

Nectar · Spring

Important spring pollen and nectar source for colony buildup, May-Jun

higMonarch butterfly

Nectar · Spring

Spring migration nectar source, May-Jun bloom provides critical fuel

higPale Swallowtail

Nectar · Spring

Spring flight period nectar foraging, May-Jun

modAnise Swallowtail

Nectar · Spring

Spring generation nectar source

modGray hairstreak butterfly

Nectar · Spring

Spring generation nectar foraging

modLorquin's Admiral

Nectar · Spring

Spring flight period nectar source

modPainted lady butterfly

Nectar · Spring

Spring migration and breeding nectar source

+1 more species

Mammals

higWestern gray squirrel

Seeds · Fall

Critical fall seed harvest and caching for winter storage

modCalifornia Ground Squirrel

Seeds · Fall

Fall seed consumption and caching behavior