The Feather bush grows into a large shrub to small deciduous tree with a low branching structure and soft foliage character. As a large shrub, plants grow 12-15 ft. tall and as wide; trees can reach up to 25 ft. tall. Medium to deep green leaves are bipinnately divided into many tiny leaflets and produce moderate to heavy shade. White flower balls occur in spring and create a soft accent character.
Feather bush is native to arid climate zones and foothill and wash habitats in Arizona where it grows in well-drained soils. Plants occurring near seasonal washes grow to larger sizes and retain foliage for longer periods of time. Plants can be damaged by temperatures below 25°F and care should be taken to select the tree for warm winter microclimates in the Inland Empire.
Feather bush is an attractive foliage plant that can be pruned into a small canopy tree to provide a green and lush appearance in both residential and commercial landscapes. It is another one of the emerging tree choices that fit southwestern garden plantings along with palo verdes, mesquite, and desert willows.
