Quercus wislizenii var. frutescens

A shrubby variety of the Interior Live Oak, a Californian evergreen species, making only a medium to large shrub over time. The foliage is spine edged and very similar to the Mediterranean Kermes oak, Q. coccifera. The male flowers in catkin-like structures are red in bud and open yellow in summer. Very drought tolerant, this sun loving scrub oak would suit xeric plantings composed of other Mediterranean and dry climate plants. Hardy and perfectly suited to a warming UK climate with potentially very dry summers.