Garrya Species, Ashy Silk-Tassel, Silk Tassel Bush, Yellow-Leaf Silk Tassel

This GORGEOUS broadleaf evergreen is native to Southern Utah, and other locations across the Southwestern U.S. Garrya flavescens has beau...Read Moretiful silver/blue lance shaped leaves, with a white powder matte coating to help protect them from the hot desert sun. This plant is EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE (even in the wild), and usually grows very densely from top to bottom. This species looks even more attractive than the well known, and commonly planted ‘Garrya elliptica’ from the West Coast. Garrya species are commonly called silk tassel bushes, due to their long (up to 1 foot!) stringy tassels of small white, and pink tipped flowers that hang down quite low from each branch. The blooms are extremely unique, and are instantly recognizable from multiple feet away. This species can reach heights of 6 - 10 feet, and about the same width. They will sometimes form a small tree in the right spot, and with enough moisture. You will see Garrya flavescens growing extremely abundantly in Zion National Park in S.W. Utah, along with multiple species of Manzanita, Sonoran Live Oaks, Yuccas, and many species of Cacti. This is an EXCELLENT choice for xeriscaping in the Southwest, and should be used a lot more frequently than it already is. This desert species can endure temps in access of 120 °F, and months on end with little to no water. I do see them commonly growing under taller trees and shrubs, so they do appreciate a little sun protection here in the desert. But I would suspect they would do just fine in full sun, as long as they got slightly more water. I definitely wouldn’t trust the zone 5 rating as is stated on here, but they are reliably hardy down to about zone 7a / b (or 0 - 5°F).