Coast Silktassel Garrya elliptica
This evergreen shrub flowers in the beginning of the year, with very long, cascading flower clusters called catkins. The male catkins are about a foot long and grey-green, and the female catkins are shorter and silver-grey. The leaves are tough and leathery, with a glossy green on top. This dense shrub grows moderately fast to about 12 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide.
It will take full sun, except in hot inland locations where it will likely need some shade and occasional summer watering. It prefers well-draining soil but tolerates clay and serpentine soil. It makes a great informal hedge or small tree and can be cut back (espaliered) to grow almost flat against a wall or fence.
