Malacothamnus fasciculatus doesn't have a common name, so I've decided to give it one. This seems like the ultimate tea party plant as she gives the garden a kind of kid glove and ribbons appeal. Why do I not see this more often?! Malacothamnus is a shrubby evergreen (gray) that can become quite hedgy at about 8' high. Her gray leaves provide an excellent foil against the house or greener plantings (mine's behind a Manzanita) and she will host many a butterfly and hummingbird. I think I'll experiment with pruning mine and make two open and airy and use another for screening.
Soil: well drained to clay, doesn't seem too picky
Sun: full sun to part shade. This lady is from So Cal, so make sure she gets her suntan
Plant: when, you ask? Well, right now would be a good time! Be careful when transplanting, the roots seem of the fragile variety
Buy it: I got mine from a wholesale nursery, but you can certainly ask your local nursery to stock them for you. I've seen some at Cactus Jungle.
Good for: wildlife, a backdrop for tea parties, adding a touch of gray to your garden, creating a hedge between you and your noisy neighbors.
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