The California Flannelbush is an evergreen shrub or a small tree that is native to western North America. It occurs in California, Arizona and northwestern Mexico. It has large, showy yellow flowers and lobed leaves. Flowers have 5 spreading petals. The flowers range from bright yellow to orange. Leaves are olive green to gray-green and lobed. The leaves are fuzzy and flannel-like. It is also known as the fremontia. Hardy in zones 9-12.

 

Growing Instructions for the California Flannelbush

 

The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. 1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat. The seeds can be sanded with sandpaper, a nail file or an emery board. The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the spring or summer and they will germinate the next spring or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 2. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. 3. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 4. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 90 days. 5. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 6. Put the soil in a pot. 7. Sow the seeds on the soil. Cover them with a layer of soil. 8. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 9. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.