Garrya elliptica Dougl. ex Lindl.

Common name(s): Coast Silk-Tassel, Silk Tassel Bush, Wavyleaf Silktassel

Family: Garryaceae

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 14th January, 2014 at Mount Gambier, South Australia

Leaf (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Inflorescence (Male)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Inflorescence (Female)

Taken by Unkown

Expand all

Plant Properties

Origin(s)

United States

Cal.: Indigenous
Oregon: Indigenous

Plant Type

Evergreen Shrub

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm

Climate Range(s) - Tolerance

Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub

Oceanic,

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Forest - Littoral, Heath

Forest - Littoral,

Heath

Habitat Zone(s)

Forest Margins, Coastal margins, Dry areas, Exposed, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Ridges, Rocky, Sandy Moist, Well drained

Forest Margins,

Coastal margins,

Dry areas,

Exposed,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Open areas,

Ridges,

Rocky,

Sandy Moist,

Well drained

Mature Height

2-2.5m, 2.5-3m, 3-4m, 4-5m

2-2.5m,

2.5-3m,

3-4m,

4-5m

Mature Width

2-2.5m, 2.5-3m, 3-4m

2-2.5m,

2.5-3m,

3-4m

Plant Shape

Bun - Broad

Domed - Broad

Bun - Broad,

Domed - Broad

Growth Rate

Moderate

Maturity

14-16 yrs, 16-18 yrs, 18-20 yrs

14-16 yrs,

16-18 yrs,

18-20 yrs

Life Span

75-100yrs.

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Glossy, Grey-green

Glossy,

Grey-green

Colour (back)

Grey-green

Shape(s)

Obovate

Oval

Obovate,

Oval

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Leathery

Texture (back)

Leathery

Pubescent

Leathery,

Pubescent

Slightly

Leaf Length(s)

60-70mm, 70-80mm

60-70mm,

70-80mm

Leaf Width(s)

30-40mm, 40-50mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Margin

Entire

Undulate

Entire,

Undulate

Cross Section(s)

Flat Back-ribbed

Recurved

Undulate

Flat Back-ribbed,

Recurved,

Undulate

Arrangement

Opposite

Apice(s)

Obtuse

Base(s)

Obtuse

Attachment

Petiolate

Petiole Length

5-7.5mm, 7.5-10mm, 10-12.5mm

5-7.5mm,

7.5-10mm,

10-12.5mm

Petiole Cross Section

Terete Concave

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Green , Green-grey

Green,

Green-grey

Colour(s) Lower

Green-grey

Texture(s) Upper

Smooth

Textures(s) Lower

Rough / Scabrous

Smooth

Rough / Scabrous,

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Flower Properties

Gender: Male

Time(s)

Winter Late - Spring Early

Flower Colour(s)

Grey-green

Attachment

Pedicelate

Arrangement(s)

Catkin

Arrangement Size(s)

200-225mm, 225-250mm, 250-275mm, 275-300mm

200-225mm,

225-250mm,

250-275mm,

275-300mm

Flowers per Arrangement

many

Male and Female Flowers, Borne

On Separate Plant

Gender: Female

Time(s)

Winter Late - Spring Early

Flower Colour(s)

Silver-grey

Attachment

Pedicelate

Arrangement(s)

Catkin

Arrangement Size(s)

40-50mm, 50-60mm

40-50mm,

50-60mm

Fruit Properties

Type

Bacca

Outer Colour(s)

Purple-grey, Purple-black

Purple-grey,

Purple-black

Outer Texture

Pubescent

Length

5-6mm

Width

5-6mm

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

Summer

Fruit Ripening

2 mths., 3 mths.

2 mths.,

3 mths.

Maturation for Fruiting

2 yrs., 3 yrs.

2 yrs.,

3 yrs.

Seed Properties

Type

Achene

Colour(s)

Brown Dark

Shape(s)

Globose

Seed Appendage

Flesh

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Plate

Fibrous,

Plate

Invasiveness

Low

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay,

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Moist - Dry

Damp,

Moist,

Moist - Dry

Fertile , Poor , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight-Moderate

Waterlogging Class

None

Watering Requirements

WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

WR3 - never let soil dry out,

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Fruit, Habitat

Fruit,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

Poor

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Poor

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Light

Snow Tolerance

None

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

-10 - -8°C

Smog Tolerant

Good

Indigenous Use(s)

Leaves - Traditional medicine

Landscape Use

Very Good

Street Use

Poor

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Prune - After Flowering, Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Shaping

Prune - After Flowering,

Pruning - Formative,

Pruning - Shaping

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Park land, Garden-Modern, Garden-Heath, Garden-Sensory, Garden-Bonsai, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Cottage, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Desert, Garden-Espalier, Garden-Formal, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Rock, Garden-Woodland, Hedge-informal, Sand Binder, Screen, Soil Binder, Specimen, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares, Windbreak

Garden-Park land,

Garden-Modern,

Garden-Heath,

Garden-Sensory,

Garden-Bonsai,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Cottage,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Desert,

Garden-Espalier,

Garden-Formal,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Woodland,

Hedge-informal,

Sand Binder,

Screen,

Soil Binder,

Specimen,

Sunny Dry,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares,

Windbreak

Dormancy

Summer

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m

Annual Precipitation Range

600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm

600mm,

650mm,

700mm,

750mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR5, FR6, FR11

FR5,

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds

Propagation

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

General Notes

An interesting shrub with long, showy catkins providing an eye-catching decoration for the shrub in the winter. Ideal as a specimen, screen, wind break, informal hedge or espalier.

Some cultivars are available

Garrya elleptica 'James Roof', male cultivar,catkins 300mm long, silver grey, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
Garrya elleptica 'Evie', male cultivar, catkins 250mm long, white catkins

Propagation Notes

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

Cutting

Summer Early

Material Preparation

Firm wood tip cuttings 75-125m long, depending on the internode length, with 3-5 nodes. Remove bottom leaves from half the length of the cutting. Mist frequently to keep hydrated or drop in a bowl of water.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep.. Water 140mm pot of mix and thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Dip bottom length of cutting in Easiroot for 5-10 seconds. Using a dibber, press gently into pot of mix down to the 2nd or 3rd node or at least deep enough for the cutting to stand by itself. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 75-95% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock %

Nursery Stock %

Rooting time:- Field Stock weeks

Nursery Stock weeks

Tube Mix:- Premium Potting Mix