Brachylaena discolor | Coastal silver-oak for sale | Kusvaalbos

Coastal silver-oak (Kusvaalbos) is a fast growing, medium size, evergreen tree with shrub-like growth form. Its discolorous leaves (dark green above and silver-green below) are particularly striking. The tree bears cream-white flowers in profusion during late spring, attracting many, many bees and other insects. Brachylaena discolor has a strong tendency to grow multi-stem. Pruning stimulates copious growth.  It has aggressive roots (for its size) and needs modest water. Coastal silver-oak tolerates mild frost. 

A few gardening ideas:

Brachylaena discolor is an aggressive grower and will need regular pruning if you want to contain its size in a small garden, or force it to develop a single trunk and canopy. Alternatively consider to plant this tree in a large garden as a screen or wind break. Plant them about 2 meters apart. They will grow into a dense screen, 5 to 6 meters high, in about 3 years. The pertinent top/bottom color difference of this species' leaves is especially beautiful in a light breeze. And it gets even better -you can enjoy its beauty  year round. Although Coastal silver-oak's natural habitat is South Africa's East coast, it grows very well in-land, provided that mid-winter temperature does not drop below -2 degrees Celsius.

Value to honeybees: Nectar, N1-3;  Pollen, P0-3;  Flowering months 5-10, (7-9).   (See  blog-post "The bee-value of South Africa's trees" for an explanation of codes)