Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides

Another of Cistus' growing collection of the small form of the tan oak, endemic to southern OR. Siskiyou Mountains, reach to only 4 ft or so in habitat, as dense shrubs of blue-green leaves. In this form, the new growth, furry and tinted pink or golden and leaf undersides particularly white. Very striking. The flowers look like those of a chestnut, fuzzy cream-colored inflorescences and golden brown “acorns.” Tough, native mostly to serpentine soil regions, they seem at home anywhere on the West Coast with lean soil and away from summer garden water. Sun to light shade with afternoon shade inland. Not a plant for humid summer climates. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7 possibly 6.

DWARF TAN OAK

Fagaceae