Rusty menziesia
Menziesia ferruginea
Last reviewed: October 2026
Rusty menziesia (Menziesia ferruginea) is a perennial shrub native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees.
Toxicity unknown
Rusty menziesia (Menziesia ferruginea) 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 shade
Water
medium
Size
36"–96" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees
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 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
An upright deciduous heath-family shrub with soft, slightly sticky pale green leaves and small clusters of nodding, urn-shaped copper-orange flowers. Grows in an open, tidy form in moist mountain forest understory.
Growing Rusty menziesia
Grow Rusty menziesia in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Nodding flowers provide nectar for native bees adapted to heath-family blooms in cool, shaded forest understory.
Common questions
- How much sun does Rusty menziesia need?
- Rusty menziesia grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Rusty menziesia bloom?
- Rusty menziesia blooms in May and June.
- Where is Rusty menziesia native?
- Rusty menziesia (Menziesia ferruginea) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Rusty menziesia attract?
- Rusty menziesia draws bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Rusty menziesia? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.