Garrya x thuretii - Hybrid Garrya

The Garrya (x) thuretii is a vigorous evergreen bush that allows for expanding the range of hedge plants in coastal gardens or in our mild regions, because its cold resistance is limited. Less spectacular than those of its parent, the Garrya elliptica, its winter flowering in slender pendulous yellowish-gray aments brings a little life to the garden, while its evergreen foliage protects it from gusts of wind. The plant is rather accommodating; it tolerates slightly calcareous soils, sea spray, and even summer drought once established in deep soil. Plant this bush in partial shade, as it dreads scorching exposures.

The Garrya (x) thuretii is a bush in the garryaceae family. It is a horticultural hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding between Garrya elliptica and G. fadyenii obtained in Antibes in 1882 by Gustave Thuret. It grows rapidly, with a ramified and bushy habit, reaching on average 4m (13 ft 1 in) in height and 4.50m (14 ft 10 in) in spread at maturity. It is a dioecious bush, with female and male individuals, the latter being more cultivated in gardens due to their more decorative flowering. Its parents are native to forests on the west coast of the United States, particularly from an area that extends from southern Oregon to central California. It is a host of the chaparral, a shrubby formation similar to our Corsican maquis. It is a plant of a rather dry summer and relatively mild climate. The foliage, theoretically evergreen, will be damaged at the first frost.

The branches of Thuret's Garrya bear leathery elliptical leaves arranged in an opposite manner. They are 6 to 10cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) long and 2 to 3cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) wide, dark green and satin-like on the upper side, almost gray and pubescent underneath. The bush will be able to flower at the age of 5 or 6 years. Flowering usually takes place in February, or until March-April, depending on the climate. The inflorescences are long trailing aments that appear at the axils of the leaves. They are composed of a stack of small yellowish flowers enveloped in a silky bract, gray with silver reflections. The female aments are shorter and erect. The female plants will bear spherical berries of a purple-brown colour in the presence of male plants.

Well sheltered from cold winds, Garrya thuretii is hardy down to -10°C, in properly drained soil. So be vigilant with regards to heavy frosts. On the other hand, it will adapt very well to the mild oceanic climate offered by the Southwest and Brittany, where it will tolerate sea spray perfectly. It will also be more comfortable in a warmer urban garden that is better protected from cold winds than in a plain. Its behavior in a Mediterranean climate is also satisfactory, even without summer watering once well established, provided it is planted in partial shade and in deep soil. It is preferably planted as a free-standing hedge to make the most of its dark and dense branches, which often descend to the ground, illuminated by the pale aments. It can be associated with strawberry trees, tall Olearia, evergreen oaks, Photinias, Elaeagnus, and other Rhamnus alaternus to create an effective and decorative windbreak throughout the year.