Pacific Sunset Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset') is a large, fast-growing evergreen California native shrub with an upright to arching form. It is beloved for its spectacularly showy yellow flowers with a unique orange-red blush.
These cup-shaped, five-petaled blooms appear in spring and summer, measuring around 3 inches wide. The Flannel Bush, also known as Fremontia, produces fuzzy capsule fruits after it has finished blooming for the season.
The plant is known as a Flannel Bush because of the thick, visible hairs that cover its leaves, stems, and bracts. Thanks to its uniquely shaped and textured foliage, this evergreen plant contributes a unique profile in the winter.
The hairs of the Flannel Bush can be allergenic or irritating to the touch for sensitive groups, so we recommend planting it in a less trafficked area of the garden away from frequently treaded paths—this stunning native shrub is sure to catch the eye even from a distance.
Pacific Sunset Flannel Bush is a hybrid cultivar by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden from Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron californicum) and Mexican Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron mexicanum).
While it grows quickly and can reach 15-20 feet at full maturity, it still tends to grow more slowly and stay smaller than the species. As such, it is more suitable for smaller spaces that can accommodate a plant of this size.
Pacific Sunset Flannel Bush attracts many pollinators, including butterflies. It is also a drought tolerant shrub that stays evergreen even through dry summers.
We recommend planting on a slope or an area with sandy or rocky soil that rapidly drains. Its roots can be sensitive and rot when exposed to too much water.
Fremontodendron 'Pacific Sunset' - Pacific Sunset Flannel Bush (Fremontia)
Optimal Growth Conditions
- Mature Height: 6 - 20 feet (usually staying within 6 - 8 feet)
- Mature Width: 6 - 20 feet (usually staying within 6 - 8 feet)
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Extremely Low, Very Low
- Soil Drainage: Fast
Geographic Appropriateness
- USDA Zone: Zones 8 - 10
- Sunset Zone: Zones 4 - 24
- Native Sites: Flannel Bush typically grows on dry, sandy washes and fast-draining rocky/chalky hillsides. On the coast, it is found in chaparral. In inland mountains, it may be found as part of yellow pine (Ponderosa) woodland. In more arid high desert areas, it may occur with pinon/juniper woodland.
Additional Landscaping Information
- Characteristics: Flowering, California Native, Drought Tolerant
- Special Uses: Informal Hedge, Specimen Plant