Silk Tassel Bush James Roof

A particularly good male cultivar of the silk tassel bush, with much longer catkins than the species, Garrya elliptica James Roof is a large, vigorous, evergreen shrub with a bushy, upright habit. The leathery, ovate to elliptical, deep green leaves have wavy edges. Clusters of long (8”/20cm) silky, silvery-grey catkins are borne from midwinter to early spring, beautiful against the deep green leaves, at a time when there is little going on in the garden. Best grown against a warm wall in colder areas, silk tassel bush James Roof holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Best in a sheltered, warm, sunny site
Soil: Any well-drained soil, preferably moist
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: All year, autumn in particular
Hardiness: Not reliably hardy; may suffer in cold winters
Height: 13’ (4m) Spread: 13’ (4m) in 5-10 years