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Key characteristics

Family: Garryaceae
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Width: 6 to 8 feet
Flower color: Soft gray catkins with greenish-purple tones
Foliage color: Evergreen, glossy green
Bloom time: Winter
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate, but tolerates dry conditions in summer
Maintenance: Low, prefers well-drained soil
Growing zone: USDA Zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Provides shelter for birds and other small animals

Shrubs

Garrya x issaquahensis 'Carl English'

Carl English Silk Tassel

Garrya × issaquahensis 'Carl English' is an elegant evergreen shrub that showcases cascading tassel-like catkins in late winter to early spring. These silken catkins, often pale yellow-green to soft gray, add visual interest to gardens during the colder months. The shrub's glossy, deep green foliage complements its understated blooms, making it an excellent choice for year-round garden appeal.

This hybrid is a cross between plants native to the coastal regions of California and southern Oregon.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate, but tolerates dry conditions in summer

Bloom time

Winter

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Coastal Gardens
Native Gardens
Winter Interest

Companion plants

Yarrow · Oregon grape · Coreopsis · Blanket flower · Phlox · Bulgarian honey garlic

Design tip

The graceful architectural form makes ‘Carl English’ especially useful where evergreen structure is needed year-round. Allow its natural outline to remain relatively informal, so the cascading winter catkins can soften boundaries and screens without losing their distinctive character.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)