Colour Surprise Rice Flower

Colour Surprise Rice Flower (Ozothamnus hybrid 'Colour Surprise') is an evergreen native shrub that grows to about 1.2m tall and just 50cm wide. Its spring flower clusters are shaped like a portobello mushroom and open from maroon buds to pink, then fade to yellow, so one flowerhead carries a whole range of sunset shades. It is a narrow, hardy shrub for borders, banks and low informal hedges.

Why you'll love it

• Sunset colouring. Ochre yellow and dusky pink replace the white of most rice flowers, and every flowerhead shows several shades at once.
• Slim and upright. At about 1.2m tall and 50cm wide it fits a tight border, a verge or a narrow hedge line.
• Fine, slender foliage. The evergreen leaves are thin and soft-looking, giving a light texture that suits cottage and native plantings alike.
• Hardy once settled. It is drought tolerant, tolerates moderate frost and copes with salty soil.
• Good for wildlife. Butterflies and beneficial insects visit the flowers, which helps keep the garden in balance.

Where it works best

Low informal hedge. Plant 50cm apart in a single row. The narrow plants close into a soft hedge of about 1.2m without shading each other at the base.

Borders and cottage gardens. The unusual colour works with silver foliage, blue flowers and native grasses, and it fills a mixed border without crowding its neighbours.

Verges and banks. Its drought tolerance and slim habit make it a practical choice for dry banks and street verges.

Growing Colour Surprise Rice Flower in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun or a partly shaded position. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and tolerates moderate frost once established. A sunny spot gives the best flowering.

Soil. Free-draining soil is important. It copes with salty soil, but it dislikes sitting wet, so avoid low spots and raise the bed on heavy clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it is drought tolerant, and overwatering is a bigger risk than dry spells. Fertilise with a native slow release fertiliser after trimming.

Pruning. Trim after flowering to keep it dense and compact. Take only the soft growth rather than cutting into old, leafless wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Colour Surprise Rice Flower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is a fine, slender plant when young, and it fills out through its first growing season. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native shrubs
• Compare the best hedging plants
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife
• Drought tolerant plants

Common questions

Why is it not white like other rice flowers?

It is a hybrid between two native rice flowers, Ozothamnus diotophyllus and Ozothamnus diosmifolius. The cross gives maroon buds that open pink and fade to yellow instead of pure white.

Can I use it as a hedge?

Yes, as a low informal hedge. Plant 50cm apart and trim after flowering. It is narrow, so it makes a soft, slim hedge rather than a thick screen.

How much water does it need?

Regular water until established, then very little. It is drought tolerant, and overwatering is a more common cause of trouble than dry weather.