woodland tree
Southern California Walnut
Juglans californica
1 of 2Native to California
Coastal California from Ventura county south, east to the foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 7–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland tree for partial shade. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 7–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Habropoda depressa
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Banded hairstreakcaterpillar host
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal California from Ventura county south, east to the foothills of the San Bernadino MountainsThe 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.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7–11The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Poor, mesic 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
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- 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.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- TreeWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Green, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.