Coast Silktassel
Garrya elliptica
Also listed as Garrya lindleyana
Also known as Silk-tassel, Silk-tassel-tree
Climate Match for your location
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Coast Silktassel is a California native evergreen shrub prized for its dramatic pendant catkins that appear in winter, offering exceptional ornamental interest when few other plants are flowering. The cultivar 'James Roof' produces exceptionally long, silvery male catkins that can reach 12 inches or more.
Why grow it
Coast Silktassel offers winter interest through its catkin display when most ornamental shrubs are dormant, making it valuable for extending seasonal visual appeal in Mediterranean or dry summer climates. Compared to other winter-flowering natives like California lilac, it tolerates deeper shade and requires less water once established, though it flowers most prolifically in full sun. The species is notably tough in poor soils and performs well in coastal or inland gardens where salt spray or wind stress would challenge many alternatives.
Watch out for
Plants may require several years to reach mature flowering size and productivity. Female plants produce fleshy berries that can self-seed prolifically in favorable conditions, so male cultivars like 'James Roof' are preferable if volunteer seedlings would be unwanted. Established plants are drought-tolerant but may need supplemental water during prolonged dry periods in their first two years of growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Garryaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California Coast Ranges
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'James Roof' is the most widely grown cultivar, celebrated for its exceptionally long and abundant silvery catkins (12+ inches) that appear in winter.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Coast Silktassel is a California native evergreen shrub prized for its dramatic pendant catkins that appear in winter, offering exceptional ornamental interest when few other plants are flowering. The cultivar 'James Roof' produces exceptionally long, silvery male catkins that can reach 12 inches or more.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Coast Silktassel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Coast Silktassel offers winter interest through its catkin display when most ornamental shrubs are dormant, making it valuable for extending seasonal visual appeal in Mediterranean or dry summer climates. Compared to other winter-flowering natives like California lilac, it tolerates deeper shade and requires less water once established, though it flowers most prolifically in full sun. The species is notably tough in poor soils and performs well in coastal or inland gardens where salt spray or wind stress would challenge many alternatives.
Watch out for
Plants may require several years to reach mature flowering size and productivity. Female plants produce fleshy berries that can self-seed prolifically in favorable conditions, so male cultivars like 'James Roof' are preferable if volunteer seedlings would be unwanted. Established plants are drought-tolerant but may need supplemental water during prolonged dry periods in their first two years of growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Garryaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California Coast Ranges
Native to: California, Oregon
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'James Roof' is the most widely grown cultivar, celebrated for its exceptionally long and abundant silvery catkins (12+ inches) that appear in winter.