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Close-up of the yellowing-green flowers of bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the yellowing-green flowers of bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the leathery evergreen leaves of bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the spiny nut pods of bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A mature bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens) in its native habitat, growing at the base of a conifer. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A mature bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens) in its native habitat, growing on a steep rocky slope. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Bush Chinquapin

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Chrysolepis sempervirens

Bush, or evergreen, chinquapin is an erect, dense shrub that thrives on rocky, exposed slopes, where it provides excellent erosion control. This is a rare find in nurseries and the first time we’ve ever offered it (hot tip - only a couple dozen are available)! Its evergreen leaves are thick, gray-green on top and rusty-gold underneath which creates a striking contrast to the delicate, yellowish-green summer-blooming flowers. In fall, it produces nuts that are encased in wonky, densely spiny pods and are edible to people and adored by wildlife.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: evergreen, perennial, med to large shrub
  • Size at maturity: 2-7' tall, equally wide at maturity
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry soil, must be well-drained
  • Bloom time: July - August
  • Growth rate/ease: slow growing, moderately difficult to grow (b/c it requires specific growing conditions)
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; nuts are eaten ravenously by many species of birds and small mammals; it is a known caterpillar host and larval food source for the Golden Hairstreak Butterfly but believed to host up to nine others as well
  • Native habitat/range: grows in chaparral and open woodland (often coniferous) habitats on steep, dry rocky slopes (often south-facing), at higher elevations of 500-2300m or even higher in the southern reaches of its range, from Southwestern Oregon to Southern California. Portland Plant List - no. 
  • Special features & uses: evergreen; edible nuts have a sweet, hazelnut-like flavor; drought-tolerant; deer resistant; erosion control 

Gardening with Bush Chinquapin: Not only is bush chinquapin very attractive, it is one of the few native, evergreen shrubs that does not get gigantic, topping out at around seven feet. For optimal growth, give it part to full sun and soils that are coarse, sandy or loamy and well-drained. It will not tolerate clay. In habitat gardens, try integrating it into the understory of conifers, on tough slopes and in native hedgerows. This plant not only provides refuge for small mammals and birds, but its spiny nuts also offer a beloved food source. 

Photo Credit 1 (flowers, close): © Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credits 2 & 3 (flowers, leaves): © Nicole, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 4 (spiny nut pods): © Ryan Donnelly, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 5 (base of conifer): © Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 6 (rocky slope): © Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC-BY)