Growing Flannel Bush on CA's Central Coast
CA Native Fremontodendron californicum
Last fall I completely re-landscaped my home and planted all California natives, the vast majority of which are locally native to within a few miles of the house. In this post I’d like to document the progress of my Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron californicum).
October 2023 - Planning
The existing hardscape that my grandfather put in contained a long and straight concrete pathway that dead ends toward the back of the property. It seemed the perfect place to create a focal point in the garden, and a focal point requires a plant that loves attention and will drawn the visitors gaze. Here it is when I started the project (post some major weeding). I’ll touch on the overabundance of landscape rock in another post.
Enter the flannel bush. I’d seen these before in nearby Fort Ord, just a few miles from the house as the crow flies, as well as a healthy one in the center my neighbors front yard. Locally native and enjoys the sandy soil? Perfect. With its profuse yellow blooms which gain an orange color as they fade, it also appeared the perfect small tree to fit the space and draw the viewers gaze. Calscape says a flannel bush can be fast growing, reaching 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide in just five years. Let’s see if that’s the case!
November 2023 - Planting
My Flannel Bush started as a gallon pot purchased from the Rana Nursery in Carmel Valley. It was roughly 12” tall and appeared to be a rooted cutting taken from an existing plant based on the diameter of the base, but I cannot confirm that. It had a very healthy appearance with new growth visible. In late December, a month after planting, it produced a single yellow bloom.
May 2024 - Growth
After five months in the ground and a very beneficially wet winter, it is now 23” tall, nearly doubling in height and showing the first signs of an upcoming spring bloom.
June 2024 - Bloom
In June, the plant was experiencing its first major bloom with numerous flowers throughout. The chick lupine behind it is also enjoying life.
Stay tuned for more updates! Or if you can’t wait, just ask and I’ll send you a update picture :)
And just for fun, here’s a quite large flannel bush located in front of Pacific Grove’s Museum of Natural History giving off all the good vibes.
