wetland shrub
California bay
Umbellularia californica
Native to California and Oregon
Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevadas from California to southwestern Oregon
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–Dec Flowering time
- Height 20–45 ft 6.1–13.7 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland shrub for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its yellow and green flowers peak in February. At 20–45 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The California bay's yellow and green flowers bloom January to December, peaking in February. This late-winter display draws butterflies and beetles.
California bay blooms yellow & greenFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Red Admiral also Echo Azure, Margined White
- Beetles Asian Lady Beetle also Banded Alder Borer
- Wasps Western Yellowjacket
- Also visited by
- Flower flies: Black-margined Flower Fly
- Bees: Buff-tailed Bumble Bee
- Birds: Common Raven
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Red admiralnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California and OregonUnited States (2): CA, OR. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevadas from California to southwestern OregonThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–11 · Canadian 6–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 5.7–7.4The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- 20–45 ft (6.1–13.7 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~33 ft (10 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 16+ in (41+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jan–DecWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Yellow, GreenThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.