California nutmeg
Torreya californica
- Taxaceae
- Gymnosperm
- Perennial
- Tree
About California nutmeg
California nutmeg is a wonderful tree to welcome into your garden. This native evergreen has graceful, soft needles and a lovely pyramidal shape that looks attractive year-round. Birds and other wildlife love it, and it provides shelter and food for creatures great and small. There's something special about growing a tree that's been part of California's forests for thousands of years.
Growing California nutmeg is quite straightforward. It prefers a spot with good drainage and some afternoon shade, though it's fairly flexible about conditions. Once established, it needs little fussing or extra water. This is a slow-growing tree, so patience is rewarded with a long-lived companion for your landscape. You'll find it's a quiet, low-maintenance beauty that just keeps giving back.