Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Turpentine Bush
Turpentine Bush is a small, dense evergreen native shrub with fine, bright green, needle-like leaves that smell of resin. From late summer into early winter it is covered in clusters of bright yellow flowers, when little else is blooming. It stays about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, needs very little water once rooted, and feeds many butterflies.
Best for: fall color in desert yards, low evergreen plantings, native gardens, and butterflies.
Bright yellow flower clusters can nearly hide the leaves from late summer into early winter. It blooms when most desert plants have finished.
It stays dense and green all year and grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. That keeps a bed looking full through winter.
Many butterflies visit the fall flowers for nectar. The plant also gives wildlife food and shelter.
It blooms best in full sun, so a shady spot means fewer flowers. Plant it where it gets sun most of the day.
- Closer planting3 ft apart
- Wider planting5 ft apart
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once rooted it needs very little water, though regular water keeps it looking its best.
It is rated to about 5 to 10°F, far colder than a Valley winter gets.
It grows in full sun to light shade, but blooms better in full sun.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
When does turpentine bush bloom?
It blooms from late summer into early winter, mainly late August to early December. Plant it where you want color in the fall.
How big does it get?
It grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, dense and rounded. Give each plant that much room.
How much water does it need?
It needs very little water once it is rooted. It can go without regular water, but it looks better with an occasional drink.
Does it need full sun?
It blooms best in full sun and still grows in light shade. For the most flowers, plant it in your sunniest spot.
Why is it called turpentine bush?
The leaves are covered in a resin that smells like turpentine when you brush them. Plant it near a path if you like the scent.
Is it evergreen?
Yes. It keeps its dark green leaves all year, even through a Valley winter.
Does it attract butterflies?
Yes. Many butterflies visit the fall flowers. Add it to a butterfly bed for late-season nectar.
Is it cold hardy?
Yes. It is rated to about 5 to 10°F, so a Valley winter will not hurt it and it needs no frost cover.
Turpentine Bush for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Turpentine Bush is a compact evergreen native shrub with fragrant, fine leaves and yellow flowers in late summer and fall. This page covers size, bloom, water, sun and cold in a Valley yard.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Turpentine bush in Phoenix
Turpentine bush is a small evergreen native shrub that is covered in yellow flowers from late summer into early winter.
Turpentine bush and sun
It blooms best in full sun and still grows in light shade. Give it sun most of the day for the most flowers.
Watering turpentine bush
It needs very little water once rooted, but it looks better with regular water. Water a new plant every few days for the first weeks.
Is turpentine bush evergreen?
Yes. It keeps its dark green leaves all year, which makes it a good low shrub for winter green.
Turpentine bush for butterflies
Many butterflies visit the fall flowers for nectar. It adds late-season food to a butterfly garden.
Turpentine bush fragrance
The resin-covered leaves smell of turpentine when you brush them. Plant it where you will brush past it.
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