How to Grow Fremontodendron

Fremontodendron–commonly called flannel bush–is a fast-growing irregularly shaped evergreen shrub with brilliant yellow or orange saucerlike flowers in spring. Fremontodendron has dark green leathery leaves that are grayish and felt-like underneath.

Fremontodendron, also called Fremontia, is drought-tolerant once established. It is a good choice for native western gardens. It should be planted where the spring flower displant can be seen.

Fremontodendron are shallow-rooted and should be staked while young. Fremontodendron is short-lived, about ten to twenty years.

Fremontodendron is a genus of just two species. Fremontodendron is native to dry woods and mountainsides in the southwest United States and northern Mexico.

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*Fremontodendron californicum* tree with large rich yellow flowers with orange, coppery and reddish margins

Table of Contents

Get to know Fremontodendron

Plant type: Evergreen shrub or small tree
Growing zones and range: Zones 9 and 10
Hardiness: Can tolerate below freezing temperatures for a short period
Height and width: Grow 6 to 10 feet (2-6m) tall and 12 to 20 feet (4m-6m wide depending on the variety.
Foliage: Rounded or lobed leathery dark green leaves, softly hairy beneath; shoots are densely hairy.
Flowers: Showy briliant yellow or orange saucer-like flowers
Fruit: Flowers are followed by persistent conical seed capsules covered with bristly, rust-colored hairs; the seed capsules will irritate skin.
Bloom time: Spring
Uses: Shrub or mixed border; specimen plant; grow against a wall
Common name: Flannel bush
Botanical name: Fremontodendron
Family name: Sterculiaceae
Origin: Dry canyons of Southwest United States and Mexico

Where to plant Fremontodendron

Plant Fremontodendron in full sun.
Grow Fremontodendron in moderately fertile, dry but well-drained neutral or alkaline soil.
Fremontodendron is completely drought tolerant when established; it will accept occasional water during their normally dry period in summer only if drainage is excellent.
Shelter Fremontodendron from cold, drying winds.
Fremontodendron tend to be short-lived.

When to plant Fremontodendron

Plant container-grown Fremontodendron in spring or autumn.

Planting and spacing Fremontodendron

Space Fremontodendron 12 to 20 feet apart.

How to water and feed Fremontodendron

Water Fremontodendron unitl established; once established it will tolerate very little summer water.
Fertilize Fremontodendron light wiht an all-purose organic fertilizer in spring.

Fremontodendron care

Fremontodendron has shallow roots so plants should be staked when young.
Fremontodendron can be wall trained to show off its handsome foliage and flowers.
Pruning is minimal except for wall-trained specimens.

Fremontodendron pests and diseases

Fremontodendron is susceptible to root rot and stem rot in containers.
Fremontodendron can be attacked by scale insects.

Fremontodendron propagation

Sow seeds in warm soil in spring. Soak seeds overnight before sowing.
Root greenwood cuttins in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.

Fremontodendron varieties to grow

Fremontodoendron. ‘California Glory’. Hybrid between F. californicum and F. mexicanum. Upright then spreading evergreen shrub with dark lobed leaves; flowers to 3 inches across, rich yellow inside, tinged red outside; heavy bloomer over long a period; grows to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
F. californicum. Common flannel bush. Upright evergreen or semi-evergreen with round dark green leaves; shallow saucer-shaped lemon yellow, 1-1 ½-inch flowers that tend to bloom all at once; roundish unlobed or three-lobed leaves, 1 inch long; grows to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
F. ‘Ken Taylor’. Spreading evergreen shrube with round or lobe dark green leaves with shallow, orange-yellow flower to 6 feet tall.
F. mexicanum. Southern flannel bush. Upright evergreen or semievergreen shrubs grows to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide; brilliant orange-tinted blossoms to 2 ½ inches across; blooms less profusely than F. californicum, but flowers appear over a longer period.
F. ‘San Gabriel’. Resembles ‘California Glory’ with deeply cut (maplelike) leaves.