{"product_id":"bitter-bush-adriana-quadripartita","title":"Bitter Bush - Adriana quadripartita","description":"\u003cp\u003eBitter Bush (\u003cem\u003eAdriana quadripartita\u003c\/em\u003e) is a tough, fast growing coastal native that knits loose sand and poor soil together where little else will grow. Its size is variable, anywhere from 0.5m to 3m high and wide, depending on the site and how much you trim it. It forms an open, airy shrub of toothed deep green leaves, and its long flowering season feeds butterflies and other pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for sand and salt.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows in poor sandy soil and salty coastal conditions, including frontline gardens that burn most shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds the soil together.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its natural home is sand dunes, so it is a sound choice for binding banks and loose ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA butterfly plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a favourite host for butterflies, including the rare bitter-bush blue, and the long flowering season keeps pollinators fed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast and low fuss.\u003c\/strong\u003e Quick to grow, drought tolerant and happy with little attention once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubtle flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small pale red flowers and fuzzy green seed pods are modest to our eyes, so this is a plant for function and habitat rather than show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and exposed gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart for a loose, informal shrub planting behind the dune or along a windy boundary. It copes with salty soil and sandy conditions that are hard on most plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBanks and slopes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it for erosion control on sandy batters, planting on the same 1.5m spacing so the roots bind the surface as the shrubs merge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative and pollinator gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It brings butterflies and other insects into a native planting. The open, airy habit suits informal beds better than a clipped formal line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Bitter Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun or part shade. It comes from the coastal dunes of South Australia and parts of Victoria, so it suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. It is drought tolerant, but protect it from prolonged frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well draining soil is essential, and sandy or salty ground suits it. Heavy clay should be raised or avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water until the plant is established, then leave it largely to rainfall. It grows in poor soil and does not need rich feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e A light haircut of the leafy growth after flowering keeps it bushy and growing strongly in ornamental settings. Left untrimmed it grows looser and more open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Bitter Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to cover a bank or a long boundary, and a pack of ten gives a stronger start for a larger planting. Expect plants of variable shape, since this species is naturally variable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/planning-your-coastal-feature-garden\"\u003ePlanning a coastal garden that survives salt and wind\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eBrowse more salt tolerant coastal plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-retaining-walls\"\u003ePlants for banks and retaining walls\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-native-shrubs\"\u003eMore Australian native shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big will it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt varies from 0.5m to 3m high and wide, and soil, exposure and trimming all decide where it lands. Plan for the full 3m if you are planting near a path or boundary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it have showy flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The small pale red flowers, followed by fuzzy green seed pods, are modest to us. They matter more to butterflies and other insects, which is why it earns its place in a habitat garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it stabilise a sandy bank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, that is the job it does in nature on sand dunes. Plant 1.5m apart, water until it is established, and let the shrubs merge over the first few seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787161960767,"sku":"ADR-QUA-tube","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787161993535,"sku":"ADR-QUA-140MM-P10","price":203.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/bitter-bush-adriana-quadripartita.jpg?v=1792149173","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/bitter-bush-adriana-quadripartita","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}