#garryaceae

Garrya ×issaquahensis

Garrya is a small genus in the family Garryaceae, native to North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The plant pictured is a hybrid, with one parent being Garrya elliptica, native to California's Coast Ranges and northward into southern Oregon. The other parent is the less commonly encountered G. fremontii, whose range extends from Washington State to California. Both of these species are referred to as "silktassels" because of their wonderful chains of dangling flowers that come in winter, looking from a distance like icicles. Garrya species have separate male and female plants, and the commonly grown cultivars are males, because these have longer tassels.

Garrya elliptica 'James Roof'

Garrya has its own family, Garryaceae, and the species have unique flowers that hang down in long chains. There are separate male and female plants, and the cultivars in the horticultural trade (like 'James Roof') are generally males, since these have longer chains of flowers. Garrya elliptica is native to the coast of California and Oregon, and it is sometimes referred to as the silk tassel bush.

Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’

This shrub is often called the “silk tassel bush” on account of its unusual dangling chains of flowers, decorating it like icicles when it comes into flower in the winter. The upper photo shows the flowers at the bud stage, while the lower 2 photos were taken after the flowers opened. The species in Garrya have separate male and female plants, and the cultivar ‘James Roof’ is a male selection, chosen because the tassels are longer in male plants than in female ones. Native to coastal California, from near San Luis Obispo north to the Oregon border, and also northward into southwestern Oregon.

Aucuba japonica, Garryaceae

Known as Spotted laurel in the UK, this shrub native to East Asia does very well near water and can grow quite large, brightening up a shady spot with its peculiarly variegated leaves, as depicted here, by the Polmadie Burn in Glasgow.

Family: Garryaceae 

Genus/Species: Garrya elliptica

Common Name: Coast Silktassel