Garrya elliptica

Common Name:
Silk Tassel Bush

Description:
Garrya elliptica, commonly known as the Silk Tassel Bush, is an elegant evergreen shrub admired for its striking, pendulous catkins that appear in the cooler months. Native to the west coast of the United States, it adapts well to Melbourne’s climate and adds unique winter interest to both native and ornamental gardens. In late autumn to mid-winter, mature male plants produce long, silvery-grey catkins that can hang up to 30 cm in length, contrasting beautifully with the leathery, dark green, wavy-edged leaves. These catkins are the plant’s standout feature and give it strong architectural appeal. Garrya elliptica thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil, tolerating both coastal exposure and light frost. It is wind hardy and relatively drought-tolerant once established. This shrub is ideal for screening, hedging, or use as a background plant, and can be lightly pruned after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy form.

Form:

• Shrub - Medium

• Shrub - Large

Mature Size:

• Height: 2 to 4 metres

• Width: 2 to 3 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Autumn

• Flowers in Winter

Flower Colour:

• Silvery Grey

• Greenish (less showy on female plants)

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Hedging

• Suitable for Screening

• Drought Tolerant

• Wind Tolerant

• Coastal Tolerant

• Evergreen

• Low Maintenance

• Architectural Winter Interest

Toxicity:
Not known to be toxic to humans or animals.

Companion Plants:

• Viburnum tinus

• Loropetalum chinense

• Pittosporum tenuifolium

• Camellia sasanqua

• Correa reflexa