Silk Tassel Bush James Roof A particularly good male cultivar of the silk tassel bush, with much longer catkins than the species, Garrya elliptica James Roof is a large, vigorous, evergreen shrub with a bushy, upright habit. The leathery, ovate to elliptical, deep green leaves have wavy edges. Clusters of long (8”/20cm) silky, silvery-grey catkins are borne from midwinter to early spring, beautiful against the deep green leaves, at a time when there is little going on in the garden. Best grown against a warm wall in colder areas, silk tassel bush James Roof holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Site: Best in a sheltered, warm, sunny siteSoil: Any well-drained soil, preferably moistPosition: Full sun or partial shadeSeason of interest: All year, autumn in particularHardiness: Not reliably hardy; may suffer in cold wintersHeight: 13’ (4m) Spread: 13’ (4m) in 5-10 years