Phylica pubescens

Phylica pubescens or Featherhead is a head turner with its soft foliage and movement with a gentle breeze. 'Finicky if fussed with' best describes this one. Give it good drainage in full sun then leave it be. The reward for this laid-back approach to plant care will be years of compliments and neighbor envy.

This plant is so in demand here at Annie’s, we should call it the golden grail of plant-a-holics. As soon as people see it growing in our demonstration beds, they have to have it! It is difficult to propagate & most people spend long periods on waiting lists until that special day when they get a phone call letting them know we have a Phylica waiting for them. Occasionally, a lucky few are around when we have some extra Phylicas to sell. If you’re reading this sign & there are plants left on the table, consider yourself chosen. The plant itself is very unusual looking & feeling. It consists of small, linear leaves covered in soft hairs. It feels very nice to run a hand through the branches. The flowers appear to be extensions of the branch tip, only more open & lighter in color. The plant grows to about 3’ & is an overall light green/soft yellow color. It is important not to over water & perfect drainage is a must. It does well in coastal situations. Phylica is from South Africa & oddly enough is in the same family as our native Ceanothus here in California, which looks nothing like it. Place your Phylica so it is back-lit by the setting sun. When all of its golden hairs light up, it is quite a sight to see.