Rhus ovata is a large evergreen California native shrub with evergreen foliage.  A wonderful shrub of the Chaparral plant community, Sugar Bush requires very little water once established.  Make sure to plant in full sun in well-drained soils.  Use Sugar Bush as a small multi-stemmed tree or a large densly-foliated background shrub.  White flowers appear in Spring and the berries can be used to flavor drinks.  Rhus ovata is extremely drought tolerant as well as clay tolerant.  Hardy to about 15 deg. F.