Buy Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'

Also Known As

Catkin Bush
Coast Silktassel
Silktassel

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 6'-10'
W: 3'-10'

planting zones

7a-10a

1 gallon bagged root ball | $41

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30 at Gossler Farms

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Garrya elliptica 'James Roof' plant details

Garrya elliptica 'James Roof' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter silver flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: garryaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: silver blooms in spring and winter
Uses: easy-to-grow, textural, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'

USDA Zones: 7a - 10a
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, pollution and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

We've grown only the finest of our natives and this is one of the best. Garrya elliptica is a native from the Oregon coast south to Central California. The Saratoga Horticultural Foundation named this excellent cultivar for its tassels that are up to 12" long. The evergreen foliage is wavy and rustles in the wind. Garrya 'James Roof' climaxes its season in February-March when the tassels hang like icicles.

By: Gossler Farms

Pendulous 8-12" long(!) silky flower-catkins really catch the eye in winter/ early spring but the glossy, wavy-edged leaves of this charming 4-8' shrub (or 15- 30' small tree) are handsome at all times; a male so no fruit. S/M-D/GDr

By: Forestfarm

(SILK TASSEL) This winter blooming native to Southern Oregon and coastal California is an evergreen shrub with an upright habit, 6-8’ tall and half as wide…dramatic long, cream tassels dangle several inches in profusion Jan – Feb; foliage is dark green and tough. Deer ignore it, drought doesn’t phase it. You can almost plant it and forget it – but don’t forget to ADMIRE it, especially when it is blooming!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Similar to above but with silver-gray catkins up to 12" long and often tinged with purple.

By: Native Sons

Evergreen, long silvery gray tassels that hang down during the winter and early spring. Sturdy native shrub that should be used more often. Zone 7-9. 8', PNW, sun, well drained, good air circulation.

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Long, silky tassels adorn this 10' x 10' evergreen native in February. Low maintenance screen plant that responds well to pruning.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Dense evergreen shrub of coastal hedlands, long grey catkins.

By: Thompson's Nursery

Evergreen shrub, native along the coast ranges of California and Oregon, multi-stemmed and eventually reaching 8-10 ft tall and wide. The leaves are shiny, matte green above -- pale and woolly beneath, the edges widely toothed and somewhat wavy or rolling. In winter to early spring, long, purple-gray catkins make a great show hanging from the branches. A very tough plant, excellent as a screen or single specimen. Accepts sun on the coast to part shade inland. Drought tolerant but also accepts summer water where well drained. A wonderful plant for the coast. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.