Garrya elliptica (Silk Tassel Bush)

In January and February the dark green leaves are set off by the myriad of grey-green male catkins. This is an erect bushy shrub roughly 4 metres in height and spread but can be hard pruned and kept smaller.

A wonderfully unfussy shrub from coastal California and South Oregon; it is happy in sun or shade, in any soil and in any aspect.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.