Garrya elliptica

Common Names

Silk Tassel Bush, Coast Silk Tassel, Wavyleaf Silktassel, Silktassel, Coast Tassel Bush

Summary

Coast silk tassel is an evergreen shrub native to the Coast Ranges from southern Oregon to Santa Barbara County, California, typically growing 6–15 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide as a vigorous, broad shrub or small tree; it has thick, leathery leaves—dark green above with a pale woolly underside and wavy margins—and displays long, pendulous catkins in winter, with male catkins longer and female catkins shorter, and purple grape-like fruits on female plants.

Preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, it tolerates drought and coastal salt winds, and is well suited as a wall plant or sturdy informal hedge; it is generally deer resistant and should be pruned after flowering to maintain shape; propagation is by semi-hardwood cuttings, and it is hardy to USDA Zone 8.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-20 ft

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6-8, Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Creamy to greenish yellow

Bloom Time

Winter

Foliage Color

Dark green with grey-green undersides

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color; evergreen.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate

Seasons of Interest

Winter and Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: Yes (nesting sites early season)