Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius

The Catalina Ironwood is a rare, evergreen tree endemic to California’s Channel Islands with the fern-leaf subspecies only found on Santa Cruz Island. This unique subspecies is renowned for its striking, deeply lobed, fern-like leaves and its red-brown bark that peels in strips. If the foliage wasn't cool enough, in mid-summer these trees are smothered with large bunches of white, baby's breath-like flowers. While there are purportedly as few as 110 trees left in the wild, Fern-leaf Catalina Ironwood is relatively easy to grow in cultivation.

Trees typically grow to reach 35 feet high in garden settings with a narrow form and open canopy. When old leaves fall from the tree they seem to be rot-resistant and persist for some time, creating a very attractive mulch layer. Catalina Ironwood trees are adaptable to different soil types so long as they are well-draining. Trees are highly drought-tolerant once established and prefer full to part sun.

Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a or to 10 degrees Fahrenheit