An emerging astilbe? Gary

Sorrel perhaps?

I'm also in California, and I've had some Bhuts and other C. Chinese do the same thing. Despite being gentle (or not), the first bunch of leaves start to look pretty bad and eventually fall off. Smaller new leaves grow and then more shoots form. If I can keep the aphids off the new growth the plant recovers and looks great by May. You may want to try epsom salts as a foliar spray. Sometimes this will green them up nicely. Be careful of leaves staying wet overnight, and watch for aphids. I think they will be fine after a few weeks of warm, sunny weather. Good Luck.

Perhaps some type of St. John's wort, Hypericum. If you repost when the flower buds have opened, it may be easier to confirm this.