An eye-catching evergreen tree grown as much for its foliage as its flowers, with soft, lance-shaped leaves that shine silver in the sun thanks to a dense covering of fine, silky hairs. Male trees carry showy, bright yellow flower heads, while female flowers are smaller and often tucked away within the foliage, tending to go unnoticed. Upright and well-proportioned, it makes a handsome specimen tree, works well in mixed plantings or as a contrast to other foliage colours.

Thrives in full sun with free-draining, sandy or gritty soil, and tolerates coastal conditions once established, but dislikes heavy or waterlogged ground. Frost-tender, particularly when young. choose a sheltered, sunny spot in colder regions and protect from hard frosts. Avoid disturbing the roots once planted, as this can seriously set the tree back. Prune to shape and encourage bushy new growth.