Southern Flannelbush is a large woody shrub or small tree native to San Diego County and Baja California, formerly ranging as far north as Oregon and Imperial County. It has stiff, evergreen branches forming a dense crown, covered in dark green, hairy leaves. In spring, the plant is completely covered in large, showy yellow-orange flowers. It is drought tolerant once established and useful for slopes, hillsides, or areas needing little water. Southern Flannelbush attracts pollinators and provides habitat for birds.

1. * Southern (Mexican) Flannelbush– Fremontodendron mexicanum
(free-mont-oh-DEN-dron mex-i-KAY-num)
Family: Sterculiaceae (Cacao Family)
Native to: Currently native to San Diego county & Baja. Formerly to OR and Imperial Counties,
possibly L.A. county; dry canyons in chaparral & S. Oak Woodland.
Growth characteristics: large woody shrub/tree mature height: 6-20 ft.
mature width: 6-20 ft.
Stiff, evergreen shrub or small tree. Stout branches form a dense, sprawling crown. Older bark
dark brown. Leaves dark to gray-green, covered with dense hairs.
Use gloves & eye protection
when handling foliage.
Blooms in spring, usually April-May in our area. Flowers are large, yellow-orange
and extremely showy. Entire plant appears to be covered with blooms! Fruits are hard capsules.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an unusual specimen shrub/tree.
Can be shaped, or
espaliered along a wall, but remember that it gets big. Great for hard-to-water places, slopes &
hillsides. Excellent for xeriscaping. Several Fremontodendron mexicanum X F. californicum hybrids
have been developed for garden use: ‘CA Glory’, ‘Pacific Sunset’ and ‘San Gabriel’ all have larger
flowers, but are otherwise like S. Flannelbush.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native flowering trees/shrubs.
Attracts: insect pollinators. Roosting and perching sites for birds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun.
Sandy or rocky soil best; needs very well-drained soil.
No summer water once established (Zone 1).
None needed.
Management:
Prune to shape in late fall.
Easy with perfect drainage, no summer water.
Propagation: from seed: hot water treatment, then 12-15 wk. cold treatment
by cuttings:
yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25
1/29/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. Co,
© Project SOUND