Practical
Plants

Garrya fremontii

Fever Bush

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Garrya genus in the family Garryaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Garrya
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are intensely bitter and are used as an antiperiodic and tonic[9]. They can be used as a quinine substitute[9].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California and Oregon.
Habitat
In dry situations in chaparral, mixed evergreen, yellow pine and red fir forests at elevations from sea level to 2200 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Very slow, the seed can take 2 or more years to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10cm with a heel, August in a frame[5]. Cuttings of mature wood 10 - 12 cm with a heel, December/January in a frame[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position succeeding in most well-drained fertile soils[3][5][6]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in light shade[6], the plants are also tolerant of quite deep shade[7]. Does not require a rich soil or abundant moisture[2], if the soil is too fertile the flowering will be delayed[5]. Resistant to urban pollution and maritime exposure but are subject to wind scorch from cold drying winds in colder areas[5]. Hardy to about -15°c[4], it is best on a sunny wall in most parts of the country but does very well as a free standing shrub in Devon and Cornwall[2]. In cold winters and springs the previous year's leaves may fall before the new leaves are produced[6]. The plant strongly resents root disturbance[1][2] and should be placed in its permanent position as soon as possible. The plant flowers on wood produced the previous summer[5]. All pruning should be carried out in spring before new growth starts but after flowering has ended[1]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  8. Flora of California www.calflora.org

    ↩

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

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