About
A small to medium-sized, evergreen shrub with very narrow leaves 1-3cm long with long hairs on the undersides, giving a silvery effect. In spring, tiny, dark brown flowers appear in clusters at the ends of the branches surrounded by narrow bracts densely clothed in long, cream hairs.
About the genus
Phylica are heath-like, evergreen shrubs with small, narrow leaves often with rolled edges. The tiny flowers may consist of five petal-like sepals, or have petals modified as bristles or filaments
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a warm greenhouse in lime-free (ericaceous) compost in full light with good ventilation. In frost free areas grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Well-ripened wood may survive temperatures close to freezing in a sheltered site
PruningPruning group 10, after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 13-18C in spring, or by greenwood cuttings in early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free