Stachyurus praecox--Spike Tail

The hanging clusters of chartreusey-green flower buds on this Spike Tail bush make for a stunning display. My pictures, as usual, do not do it justice.

It reminds me of Garrya, but that is in a different family, so apparently two unrelated plants both have flower clusters that look like graceful kinetic earrings.

Both are in bloom now at the UC Botanical Garden. Stachyurus is just coming into bloom, and the Garrya is a bit past its peak of beauty. An interesting comparison.