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Native Plants Anywhere

Canyon live oak

Quercus chrysolepis

Canyon live oak
Photo: (c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY) ยท iNaturalist

About Canyon live oak

Canyon live oak is a real gem for any California garden. This native evergreen tree or shrub puts on a beautiful show with its thick, glossy leaves and impressive gnarled branches. Birds and wildlife absolutely love it, finding shelter and food in its branches. It's the kind of plant that improves with age, becoming more character-filled and lovely over the years.

Growing canyon live oak is wonderfully straightforward. Once established, it thrives on rainfall alone and doesn't need fussy care or constant attention. It prefers a sunny spot and well-draining soil. You can shape it into a shrub or let it grow into a tree, depending on your space. Plant one and you've got a lifetime companion that keeps giving back to you and your local wildlife.

Native to 16 states