How much sun does Scrub oak need?

Scrub oak grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Scrub oak bloom?

Scrub oak blooms in March and April.

Where is Scrub oak native?

Scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Scrub oak host?

Scrub oak is a larval host plant for California sister butterfly.

Scrub oak

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Quercus berberidifolia

Last reviewed: October 2026

Scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw wind-pollinated.

Toxicity unknown

Scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia) 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

36"–180" H × 60"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

Pollinators

wind-pollinated

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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

A dense, evergreen scrub oak with small, holly-like spiny leaves, often forming thickets on dry rocky slopes. Can be shaped into a large shrub or allowed to form a small multi-trunked tree.

Growing Scrub oak

Grow Scrub oak in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 180 inches tall and spread 60 to 180 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for California sister butterfly.

Acorns feed birds and mammals, and the foliage hosts California sister butterfly caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Scrub oak need?: Scrub oak grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Scrub oak bloom?: Scrub oak blooms in March and April.
Where is Scrub oak native?: Scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Scrub oak host?: Scrub oak is a larval host plant for California sister butterfly.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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