Garrya Species, Coast Silk Tassel, Silk Tassel Bush, Wavyleaf Silktassel

I dont have any personal exprience with growing this plant, but it is on campus at RCC in Grants Pass, Oregon. This is what I know about ...Read Moreit...The catskins are from the male plant & the berries are produced on the female plants. They are a very drought tolerant plant so love full sun to partial shade. They dont require a lot of water or attention. They can be trained as living fences and make great sun screens, also train as a small tree if desired. Birds are very attracted to the female plant, where as the male plant is the most attractive for landscapping. At campus we have both male and female side by side. Hardwood and heel cuttings have been recommended to me and I have some starts to see what happens. These plants are native to the Northwest, but seldom used here--they are found in abundance everywhere else.

Given this is an American tree I expected to find answers to my questions here, not to be making the first entry.

This is ...Read Morea handsome small tree with dark green wavy leaves, a bit like a holly without the points. Its long tassel flowers in dense clumps all over the tree, come when there's little else in the garden. It is pest free and all round a rewarding plant.

Mine is now out of shape, having been battered by footballs and boys climbing it to retrieve balls. It seems to hold the new position if ever a branch is bent rather than recovering its original shape. It also seems to send out numerous very vigorous and upright shoots if ever a substantial branch is cut back, which detracts from the graceful shape. I'd like to find out how to reshape and rejuvenate it.