How much sun does California ash need?

California ash grows best in part sun conditions.

When does California ash bloom?

California ash blooms in March and April.

Where is California ash native?

California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does California ash attract?

California ash draws native bees and butterflies.

California ash

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fraxinus dipetala

Last reviewed: October 2026

California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) is a perennial shrub native to AZ, CA, NV, UT. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw native bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

120"–240" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AZ, CA, NV, UT

Pollinators

native bees, butterflies

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A large, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree with compound leaves and unusually showy, fragrant clusters of small white flowers in early spring, uncommon among ash species. It grows in canyons and foothill woodlands.

Growing California ash

Grow California ash in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 180 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its fragrant spring flowers, unusual for an ash, attract native bees and butterflies.

Common questions

How much sun does California ash need?: California ash grows best in part sun conditions.
When does California ash bloom?: California ash blooms in March and April.
Where is California ash native?: California ash (Fraxinus dipetala) is native to AZ, CA, NV, UT, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does California ash attract?: California ash draws native bees and butterflies.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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