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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorns) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Fall/Winter |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Synonyms: [P. plumosa, Hort.] |
| Height: 4-5 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Phylica pubescens (Featherhead) - Phylica pubescens is an attractive dense evergreen shrub to 4 to 5 feet tall with narrow leaves that are about 1½ inch long and are densely covered with golden hairs. The leaves become congested and joined by feather bracts that form showy flattened plumose heads hiding small whitish brow flowers from fall through late winter. The flowers though hidden do have a faint aroma of cinnamon but are secondary to the showy golden flower bracts that catch the sunlight and glow so position this plant in an open space in the garden to catch early morning or late afternoon light. Plant in full sun and irrigate little to occasionally. Tolerates seaside conditions. Hardy to temperatures down to the low 20's° F. This species grows in Cape Town eastwards on dry sandstone and limestone slopes. Because of the showy plumose heads it is often mistakenly listed as Phylica plumosa, a smaller shrub that grows along the west coast north of Cape Town. Phylica pubescens is extensively used in the cut flower trade for filler foliage. We also grow the larger Phylica arborea from the Tristan da Cuhuna Islands.
The information about Phylica pubescens displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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