Quick Guide: summer, tender, full sun, height: 4m/12ft, width: 2.4m/8ft

There are two species of fremontias but only one in general Fremontia californica, as its name suggests, is a native of California (and Mexico). This deciduous shrub, through not a climber, is best grown against a warm sunny wall for protection as it is slightly tender. It should be trained against a trellis. Fabulous cup-shaped waxy yellow flowers, 5cm/2in across, are borne from late spring right through to early autumn.

GROWING Plant container-grown fremontias in autumn or spring in well-drained, sandy soil in full sun. Tie the trunk and main branches into the trellis. No pruning is necessary, but if any shoots are damaged by frost they should be removed in spring.

PROPAGATION Raise from seed sown in pots at 16°C/61°F in spring. prick off the seedlings into individual pots of compost when they are large enough to handle. Pot on to larger pots (15cm/6in) and plant out the following spring.

VARIETIES F. x `California Glory' (above) is a hybrid which is hardier than its parents.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.