Fremontodendron californicum
Flannel bush, California beauty, Fremontia
- Height × spread
- 6m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a particularly striking shrub when in flower. The flowers are large, saucer-shaped and bright-yellow with yellow centres and come from late spring all through the summer. The leaves are pretty too. They are three to five lobed, heart-shaped with a most attractive outline and grey-green in colour. The shrub is definitely tender and needs wall protection in frost-prone regions. It is often short-lived, regrettably, and may suddenly expire despite all your tender and loving care. If it lasts for fifteen to twenty years you will have done very well.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Stem colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 6m
- Spread
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Irritant to skin/eye
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.