Many California chaparral natives possess a distinctly rocky appearance, having evolved to the arid, rocky terrain constituting a lot of the Golden State. The spectacular golden blossoms of California flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum) evoke a fertile chaparral community whilst requiring almost no water, placing this plant among California’s most prized indigenous beauties. It’s admired as far away as Europe, where you’ll even see flannel bush planted at Kew Gardens and facing London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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Botanical name: Fremontodendron californicum
Common names: California flannel bush, California flannelbush
Origin: Native to California’s mountains, Arizona and northern Baja California, Mexico
USDA zones: 8 to 10 (find your zone)
Water necessity: Low; drought tolerant once established; no summer water
Light requirement: Entire sun
Mature size: Up to 10 or 20 feet tall
Tolerances: Extremely drought tolerant
Seasonal attention:Prolific yellow blooms from spring into summer; evergreen
When to plant: Fall
Caution: Wear protective gloves and clothing if handling flannel bush. Fibers will irritate skin also are its defense mechanisms that is inherent. Shower and wash your clothes immediately.
Distinguishing traits. Flannel bush climbs rapidly to 5 feet tall, finally reaching heights of 10 to 20 feet. Make room for its irregular form and big scale when siting it ; this plant easily can outgrow its allotment.
A chaparral indigenous, California flannel bush has a fairly inconspicuous form and foliage, even if it is oversize. Adapted to withstand prolonged periods of drought and sun, the shallow-rooted shrub is covered with leathery dark green leaves with felted undersides.
Spring blossoms sell this plant ; gold yellow blooms shower — normally all at the same time — the tree in an explosion of 3-inch blossoms, followed by prickly seed capsules.
Popular hybrids comprise Fremontodendron ‘California Glory’ (shown)and F. ‘Pacific Sunset’. These plants are created for more success in farming.
Pete Veilleux
BriAnna Weldon
The best way to use it. Plant flannel bush to a well-draining incline, emulating its indigenous landscape. Allow lots of room for it to grow, spread, arch and loosely anchor a backdrop garden point.
While the majority of the year you are able to count on its foliage to subtly fill an visual vacancy, recall in summer and spring a minumum of one corner of this garden will sing yellowish — purple-blooming salvias and native ceanothus contrast well and also have similar watering requirements. Keep it loose and casual.
Shown: With sage (Salvia sp)
Larry McCombs/Flickr
Shown: With ‘Sally Holmes’ increased
Far Out Flora
Planting notes. While California flannel bush is reduced upkeep, such as most chaparral natives, most note its finicky nature when it comes to drainage and soil type.
It’s regarded as a short-lived plant to begin with, but anything less than a sandy, sloping, well-drained website can send the plant into a death spiral. It’s always helpful to see natives in their native habitat.
The contour is very unruly, so feel free to sew and eliminate branches for a more serene form. Shallow roots adapted to dispersing and discovering water also don’t provide much help, so plants could be staked to set up a fantastic grip on the ground. Pinch plants to encourage branching early. Water softly to set, but otherwise this is a plant that is zero-water.
Shown:With Jerusalem sage