Phylica pubescens

RHS Plant Profile

downy phylica

RHS

Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rhamnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow 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

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18C in spring, or by greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Cut flowers
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 10, after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free