PlantFiles: California Flannel Bush, California Fremontia
Fremontodendron californicum

I found one at last! I am going to grow it in a large pot and train it on a lattice. So far so good, it gets really hot here in Vacaville, CA and should do great. I used coarse sand mixed in with a good amending soil. I have the pot on planter footies to guarantee excellent drainage. Wish me luck!
Betts

update 9-21-09; My bush is doing okay, no new growth or flowers. But, since I have watered it deeply once a month it is greening up and I believe new leaves are forming. I'm thinking; in a pot it needs regular watering as long as it has drainage. My pot is on pot feet, I'm able to water it every three weeks. It gets sun all day and loves it.

Planted a tiny 3 leaf seedling 2 years ago which is now a 6 ft shrub. It is in the hottest place in the yard, in a fast draining raised bed with shallow soil. Last summer it flowered profusely all summer. It stayed evergreen all winter and survived last winters unusually harsh and sudden freezes with minor twig damage. Now it is covered with buds.

I grew this plant in my garden in Malahide Co. Dublin, in Ireland. I even moved it from one house to the other without problems. Now living in Cave Creek Arizona and would love to try it here.
Lorraine.

I've tried softwood cutting after softwood cutting and have had absolutely no success. I've searched the internet on details for propagating this plant by cuttings but so far, no success. Simply starting it by cuttings is not enough information for this plant.

Frustrated in Ontario

Came across Flannel Bush at nursery. Never heard of it before. Was a scrawny 5ft pole with some branches for $10 - now 4th summer in garden and WOW. People always ask about it. Not a common plant in Vancouver. Seems to like our VERY wet winters and dry summers as you can see in the photo I posted.

I love this plant! Fast growing, showy, lovely foliage and I don't give it a drop of water in San Mateo, CA (Sunset zone 17). Easy to shape. But yes, beware the fuzz!

i have seen this growing as a tree in London, England. Will try and post picture.
Nice tree but be very careful pruning and wear protective goggles.
Havn't had the pleasure of seeing it in bloom yet.

Grows rapidly with good drainage, but is short-lived if watered in summer. Beautful bloom, interesting 'felted' foliage. Great plant in the right place, ideal with Ceanothus 'DarkStar'.

Yes the hairs are an irritant but the plant grows so quickly, is easy to shape, flowers for a long period and doesn't need much water. It really is beautiful !

Although this is a lovely plant and flowers for a long time, the hairs on the stems and leaves are a skin irritant - after pruning this one you'll need to strip right off and shower! Be very careful to wear goggles too, as it's painful if they get in your eyes. Apart from that, it's certainly worth growing if you have a warm wall.