Botanical Name: Fremontodendron mexicanum
Common Name: Southern flannel bush
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub/tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an upright, single or multi-trunked plant, with stiff ascending-spreading branches forming a pyramidal canopy in youth; older plants become broadly rounded - irregular
Height 10' - 20'(25')
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate moderate to rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun; gets root fungus diseases in shaded locations
Soil prefers dry, loose soils; tolerates clay if drainage is excellent
Hardiness hardy (zones 7-24); thrives in warm dry-slope habitats
 
Morphology:
Leaves palmate, alternate, with 3-5(7) shallow lobes; mostly oval to nearly round, 2"-3" long; leathery, covered with tan colored fuzzy hairs; young stems also hairy
Flowers bright yellow (often tinged with orange), 5-parted (of sepals); solitary, to 2"-3" across, at ends of short lateral branchlets; March-June
Fruit a capsule; 5-valved, densely hairy-bristly, 1"-2" long
 
Propagation:
seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
 
Usage:
a highly valued large accent shrub or small tree for its spectacular display of yellow flowers; large-scale background or screen plantings; can be espaliered (in youth) for more formal landscapes
 
Landscape Care:
Watering very little after established; avoid summer irrigation
Fertilizing none required
Pruning little is required; avoid strongly heading back
Pests/Diseases root fungus diseases – a serious problem in heavy soils
Special Conditions/Other provide good drainage when installing plants
 
Origin: San Diego/Baja
Family: Sterculiaceae

Notes:
 
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