Michellle, I didn't remember anything about it, but got lots of hits praising it on Google. Finally on the third or fourth page, it was listed under the heading of shrubs as 'Lindheimer Silk-Tassel' on a Texas native nursery site, Madrone Nursery, which is up around the Medina/Bandara area. I visited there years ago.

One of their clients is Lady Bird Johnson National Wildflower Center so there is a possibility that they might have it for sale.

The Madrone site says you can email them for information on plant availability. I hope they have it or can propagate it for you. Let us know what they say.

Here is a link that might be useful: Madrone Native Plant Nursery

Sorry, I had them mixed up with another nursery in the hill country that sells Madrone trees, Native Plants of Texas.

Madrone Native Plant Nursery is located in San Marcos. Visit by appointment only.

Madrone Nursery
2318 Hilliard Road,
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone/Fax: 512-353-3944

I hope you find a source for Mexican silk tassels :-)

I have a few growing on my property, without any care at all from me. I haven't planted any, so can't tell you anything about that. Mine survived the drought and the high heat this summer. But I did see some along the roads in the nearby areas that looked dead this summer...maybe those will come back...wouldn't surprise me any, as they require very little. Native Plants of Texas is really great, also Medina Garden Nursery in the town of Medina has a lot of native plants. Haven't been to Madrone Nursery, but maybe I'll get to it one of these days.

Linda, that's amazing that they suvived the drought when even trees in your area of the hill country died! I'd like to see what it looks like growing. Did you notice any at that place they are buldozing near IH 10 and 1604 where we found the flame flowers?

I looked up Natives of Texas and they list silktassel. That's the place I visited. Not sure if they ship, but I'm thinking they do.

Also Rainbow Gardens has a nicely stocked native plant section. You might call them, ask for Kathy, the manager at the Bandara Rd. location, and see if tney could order it for you from whereever they get their native plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: Silktassel, Garrya lindheimeri

Ragna, I don't remember seeing any there. Doesn't mean there isn't any in the area. I keep meaning to go back and rescue some more things and also look around at the other areas near there. Maybe after Thanksgiving I will. I've had a lot going on lately. fireant, I can't understand it either. Maybe people just want what's at the big box places...and don't know about what has been growing in this area all along.

Hi Linda and Roselee,
We have always tired to plant things that can make it on their own after being established for 2 or 3 years but after this last drought I am finding that what I thought were tough plants weren't tough enough. Some plants amazed me and some I sadly lost. I now know when they say heat and drought tolerant they aren't talking about what Texas can dish out. So I'm revising my list and looking for even tougher plants. I wish the big nurseries would offer more natives. I think more people would buy carefree plants if they had a choice. I think I might have a lead on some silktassel through Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. I will find out after Thanksgiving and let y'all know.
Thanks

Garrya lindheimerei grows on my property too. It likes it in shade and way back in my canyon. They say you can plant it in the sun and it will grow more more compact . Those plants might be at risk when we have two summers like the last ones. I lost 5 year old native trees this year.

This thread is four years old, but just thought I'd mention that I purchased a Mexican Silktassel, Garrya ovata subsp. lindheimeri, at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens last fall. They have a plant sale coming up Oct. 26 so they might have it again.

Here is a link that might be useful: San Antonio Botanical Gardens ...