Silktassel

Sun or partial shade. Silktassels are nearly evergreen understory trees or shrubs with almost leathery leaves. The name refers to the spring blooms, which appear in pendulous clusters. Lindheimer’s Silktassel (Garrya ovata ssp. Lindheimeri) is the variety with the pink tassels; it inhabits woodland edges around the Edwards Plateau. Wright’s Silktassel (Garrya wrightii) is more a resident of drier western cliffsides. Both can be useful where some evergreen screening is desired.

Like many native evergreens, silktassels are slow-growing; preserve them if you have them, or find them commercially from native plant specialists.