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Phylica plumosa (Cape Myrtle) - Phylica plumosa is the small dense evergreen shrub to 1-2 feet tall with rough needle thin leaves that are about ½ inch long. In late spring to early summer appear the small yellow flowers that are hidden within dense terminal clusters of feathery golden bracts. These golden bracts seem to catch sunlight and nearly glow so position it 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 and slightly north along the west coast, and it is found on clay and granite soils. It is a smaller and denser plant than the Phylica pubescens, which we have also grown, though Phylica pubescens is often erroneously sold as Phylica plumosa. We also have grown the larger Phylica arborea from the Tristan da Cuhuna Islands.
The information about Phylica plumosa that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
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