Arizona Rosewood. Vauquelinia californica, Rose Family: ( Rosaceae ), Arizona Rosewood. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 25 feet tall. The bark is gray to reddish brown and shaggy or divided into square pieces. A great substitute for Nerium Oleanders. Without all of the disadvantages of Oleanders. Quick Notes: Height: Up to about 5 to 25 feet tall and 4 to 15 feet wide. Flowers: The flowers white, with 5 petals up to 1/4" wide. The flowers occur in dense white clusters on branch terminals, 2 - 3 inches across. Flowering Time: May to June. Fruit: Dark blue, berry-like fruit. Leaves: Blue - green, simple, toothed, alternate, leathery, lance-shaped with a sunken midvein, up to 4" long and 1/2" wide. Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (AZ, NM). In Arizona it is found in Maricopa, Pinal, Pina, Gila, & Cochise counties. Also found in northern Sonora, Baja, & Chihuahua Mexico. Hardiness: Said to be hardy below 10 �F. Not verified. USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Partial Shade Elevation: 2,500 - 5,000 feet. Will grow at lower elevations. Habitat: Found throughout upper desert scrub and oak woodlands in Arizona. Does best in dry, sandy, well-drained/light soils. An ideal xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Shrub Photos Taken October 11, 2006. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Near Superior, Arizona. Flower Photos Taken May 13, 2008.