Red shank
Adenostoma sparsifolium
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Red shank (Adenostoma sparsifolium) 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
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Large 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.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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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