Red shank
Adenostoma sparsifolium
Last reviewed: August 2026

Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
96"–240" H × 72"–144" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaLarge evergreen shrub or small tree with distinctive shredding reddish bark and fine, needle-like foliage. Produces small white flower clusters in late summer on dry, exposed slopes.
Wildlife value
Late-season flowers provide nectar for bees and beetles when few other shrubs are blooming.
Common questions
- How much sun does Red shank need?
- Red shank grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Red shank bloom?
- Red shank blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Red shank native?
- Red shank (Adenostoma sparsifolium) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Red shank attract?
- Red shank draws bees and beetles.
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.
Ready to grow Red shank? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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