Fremontodendron californicum

RHS Plant Profile
California flannel bush

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A vigorous, semi-evergreen shrub to 6m tall, with rounded, lobed, dark green leaves. From late spring to early autumn it produces yellow flowers to 6cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Fremontodendron are vigorous evergreen shrubs with scurfy young shoots and palmately lobed leaves, and bright yellow flowers appearing over a long period in summer and autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
California, W Arizona, N Baja California

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by greenwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 1, or group 13 if wall-trained

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora root diseases and honey fungus