Common Hop Bush

Common Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra) is a large, open native shrub of eastern Australian forests, growing 2 to 3m tall and about 2m wide. Starry lime green flowers give way to clusters of papery seedpods that age from pale brown to purple, and the plant hosts fiery jewel butterflies. It is a tough, useful choice for wildlife gardens, windbreaks and erosion control.

Why you'll love it

• Feeds butterflies. It is a host plant for fiery jewel butterflies, which makes it a natural for butterfly and wildlife gardens.
• Seedpods with colour. Clusters of papery pods follow the lime green flowers and age from pale brown to purple.
• Tough once established. It tolerates drought and light frost, and takes sun or shade in almost any free draining soil.
• A useful pioneer. Revegetation projects use it as a pioneer plant, and it helps hold soil on slopes.
• Comfortable under gums. It is happy growing beneath gum trees, where many shrubs struggle.

Where it works best

Windbreak hedges. Plant 1.5m apart in a staggered row. The plants lean together into a loose, informal windbreak about 2m wide.

Native and wildlife gardens. Use it as an understorey shrub beneath eucalypts, where it feeds butterflies and gives structure to a native planting.

Erosion control. On banks and exposed ground its roots and canopy help stabilise the soil.

Growing Common Hop Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Sun or shade. It grows naturally in forest from Victoria to Queensland, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Established plants tolerate light frost and drought.

Soil. Almost any free draining soil will do.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well until established. In spring, apply a slow release native fertiliser. Dodonaea can be phosphorus sensitive, so the phosphorus ratio of the fertiliser needs to be under 3%.

Pruning. A light trim after flowering keeps a hedge or windbreak dense. It is an open shrub, so shape it gently rather than clipping it formally.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Common Hop Bush as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to plant a windbreak or revegetation area, while the 200mm pots give you a larger plant from the start.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, 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

• Browse Australian native shrubs
• Plants for windbreaks
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife

Common questions

Which fertiliser should I use?

A slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3%. Dodonaea can be phosphorus sensitive, and ordinary garden fertiliser may harm it.

Does it attract butterflies?

Yes. It is a host plant for fiery jewel butterflies, so it suits butterfly and wildlife gardens.

How far apart for a windbreak?

Plant 1.5m apart. Each shrub spreads about 2m, so they overlap into a loose, informal screen.