Garrya
Silk tassel, Tassel tree
- Height × spread
- 2m – 4m × 2m – 4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are grown for their showy and interesting catkins which come for some months over winter. The catkins are slender and coloured grey green, or have reddish or purplish tints. Out of season these are quiet shrubs with leathery, quite dull green leaves. There are both male and female forms and small fruits may be produced if both are present. Garryas stand 4 or 5 metres high when mature and are often used as wall shrubs, or as props for summer flowering climbers.
- Flower colour
- Green, Grey
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 2m – 4m
- Spread
- 2m – 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.