Cushion Bush

Cushion Bush (Leucophyta brownii) is the silver native for the hardest spot in a coastal garden: the one facing the sea. It grows into a dense, naturally rounded dome about 80cm tall and 1m wide, built from fine wiry stems so silver they read almost white in bright light. Salt spray, wind, sand and drought are its natural conditions, and small yellow button flowers appear over summer as a bonus.

Why you'll love it

• Front line coastal toughness. It grows naturally on exposed shorelines, so salt laden wind that burns soft foliage leaves it untouched.
• Silver like nothing else. The pale domes light up against green plantings, dark mulch and grey timber.
• A neat dome without clipping. The rounded cushion shape is how it grows, not something you have to shear into being.
• An easy care Australian native. Drought tolerant and happy in poor sandy soil, it asks for almost nothing once established.
• Useful at small scale. At 80cm by 1m it fits rockeries, borders and pots, not just big landscape plantings.

Where it works best

Coastal gardens. Use it in the front row of planting facing the water, where its tolerance of salt and wind sets the foundation for softer plants behind.

Rockeries and gravel gardens. The sharp drainage these plantings provide is exactly what it wants, and the silver reads beautifully against stone.

Borders, edging and mass planting. Plant 60cm apart for a continuous silver band along a path or across a bank.

Pots. In a wide terracotta pot with a gritty mix it makes a sculptural silver dome for a sunny, exposed spot.

Growing Cushion Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, nothing less. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and semi arid climates and takes light frost. In districts with wet, humid summers it is naturally short lived, so treat it there as a short term plant or grow it in a pot.

Soil. Sharp drainage is non negotiable. Sand and gravel are ideal; on heavier ground plant into a raised mound or a rockery pocket. It prefers lean soil, so skip the rich compost.

Water and feed. Water to establish through the first summer, then leave it to the weather. More cushion bushes are lost to kindness than neglect, and it needs little or no fertiliser.

Pruning. Trim lightly after flowering to keep the dome tight. Avoid cutting back into bare wood, which rarely reshoots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Cushion Bush as tube stock and as 140mm pots in packs of 10. Small plants establish best in free draining ground, and tube stock planted into sand often overtakes a larger transplant within a season. The dome shape develops in the first year.

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 plants for coastal areas
• The best plants for coastal gardeners
• More Australian native plants
• Planning a coastal feature garden

Common questions

Will it grow in humid areas like Brisbane?

It will grow, but not for long. Expect two or three strong years in humid summer districts, or keep it in a pot with a gritty mix where drainage stays perfect.

Why did my cushion bush die suddenly?

Almost always water sitting at the roots, from heavy soil or a wet humid spell. Sharp drainage, full sun and restrained watering are the whole secret.

How far apart should I plant it?

60cm apart for a massed silver band. Each plant domes to about 1m wide, so that spacing lets them just meet without losing their cushion shapes.

Does it need feeding?

Barely. It grows naturally in poor sandy soil, so a light native fertiliser at planting is plenty. Rich feeding produces soft growth that collapses in humid weather.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, and in humid climates a pot is the smartest way to keep one. Use an unglazed pot, a free draining native or succulent mix, full sun and a light hand with the hose.