Garrya elliptica
silk tassel bush
A shrub or small tree of rapid growth and bushy habit, to 3.5m or even to 4.5m in mild areas. Leaves oval to roundish, dark shining green above, felted grey beneath. The long, grey-green male catkins flower in January and February. The female plant is less commonly seen, but produces long clusters of purple-brown fruits in summer
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | Brown Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Garryaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Garrya are vigorous evergreen dioecious shrubs with simple leathery leaves and small greenish flowers in pendent catkin-like racemes in late winter and early spring
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA (California, Oregon)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to a leaf spot and honey fungus (rarely)
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