Garrya veatchii

Common Names

Canyon Silktassel, Veatch Silktassel, Silk Tassel Bush, Southern Silk Tassel, Silk Tassel

Summary

Native to chaparral habitats of Southern California and Baja California, this evergreen shrub or small tree grows 0.8–3.5 m tall with a rounded form. Leaves are opposite, leathery, 2.5–7 cm long, with an abaxial surface densely white-tomentose and a glossy adaxial surface. Long, pendulous catkins bear flowers that are cream or pink-tinged and wind-pollinated; the plant is dioecious, producing fruit on female specimens.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial sun and well-drained soils, and is drought-tolerant once established. It tolerates rocky slopes, gravelly alluvium, sandy soils, and dry stream beds, and can be used as a hedge, screen, or for erosion control in landscapes. Hardy in USDA zones 8a–10b and at elevations of 200–2300 m, it tolerates wind, seaside salt, and urban pollution, making it suitable for coastal and inland garden settings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3 ft 3 in-8 ft

Spread

6-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Sun, Partial Shade

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, including sandy soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

White and Cream

Bloom Time

Winter and Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate, slow growth until established (3–4 years), then medium growth rate.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Winter

Propagation Methods

Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds