Fremontodendron californicum
Fremontodendron californicum
This quite unusual plant is native to California and Arizona in North America.
Most noticeable are its flowers which open from late spring through to late summer. They do not have petals but is a petal like calyx (the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud) which is quite tough and hardy (as compared to petals) an adaption to the harsh dry conditions of its native habitat.
It is free flowering with the flowers opening bright yellow and as they get older change to orange. With many yellow and orange flowers on the bush it has a golden yellow effect which is quite striking.
In addition the young branches are covered with coppery brown hairs (tomentum) and the 3-7 lobed heart shaped, evergreen leaves are a dull sage green colour. It thrives in free draining loose sandy soil and full sun and strives in quite severe conditions including drought.
All in all an attractive but different looking shrub growing up to 2metres high but not very dense so you can see it all very easily.
Named after Colonel John Charles Fremont and explorer of Western North America.
This quite unusual plant is native to California and Arizona in North America.
Most noticeable are its flowers which open from late spring through to late summer. They do not have petals but is a petal like calyx (the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud) which is quite tough and hardy (as compared to petals) an adaption to the harsh dry conditions of its native habitat.
It is free flowering with the flowers opening bright yellow and as they get older change to orange. With many yellow and orange flowers on the bush it has a golden yellow effect which is quite striking.
In addition the young branches are covered with coppery brown hairs (tomentum) and the 3-7 lobed heart shaped, evergreen leaves are a dull sage green colour. It thrives in free draining loose sandy soil and full sun and strives in quite severe conditions including drought.
All in all an attractive but different looking shrub growing up to 2metres high but not very dense so you can see it all very easily.
Named after Colonel John Charles Fremont and explorer of Western North America.