Feathery Hop Bush

Feathery Hop Bush (Dodonaea sinuolata) is a large, open native shrub, 2 to 3m tall and about 2m wide, with finely divided, ferny leaves that look more like a grevillea's than the long oval leaves of other hop bushes. Its best show comes in autumn and winter, when clusters of papery seedpods turn a luminous coral pink in direct sun and ripen to cherry red. It is frost tolerant once established and makes an attractive informal hedge.

Why you'll love it

• Coral pink seedpods. Clusters of papery pods light up in autumn and winter, then ripen to cherry red, and they look best with the sun behind them.
• Feathery foliage. The finely dissected leaves give a soft, ferny texture that sets it apart from other hop bushes, even when it is not showing pods.
• Good for wildlife gardens. It suits butterfly and wildlife plantings and fits a native garden without fuss.
• Pods for indoors. The seedpods are attractive in floral art and indoor arrangements.
• Frost tolerant. Once established it takes frost in its stride.

Where it works best

Informal hedges and windbreaks. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. The shrubs spread about 2m, so they overlap into a soft, loose screen.

Native and wildlife gardens. Pair it with grevilleas, wattles and tough native groundcovers for a layered planting.

Backlit positions. Put it where low sun can shine through the pods, such as the edge of a lawn or beside a path, so the colour shows.

Growing Feathery Hop Bush in Australia

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

Soil. Almost any free draining soil will do.

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

Pruning. Shape lightly after the pods have finished to keep it dense. Cut stems with pods in autumn if you want to dry them for indoors.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Feathery Hop Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Expect a small, ferny plant at first, which grows on toward a full-sized shrub.

Our tube stock is supplied by our grower, so availability comes and goes. If the tube shows as sold out when you visit, use the notify button on the page and we will email 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
• More Australian native plants
• How to create a great hedge and keep it sharp

Common questions

When do the seedpods colour up?

In autumn and winter. They start coral pink in the sun and ripen to cherry red as the season goes on.

Can I use the seedpods indoors?

Yes. They suit floral art and indoor arrangements. Cut the stems when the pods have coloured and let them dry in a vase.

How is it different from Common Hop Bush?

The leaves are finely divided and feathery rather than long and oval. The seedpods are coral pink to red, not pale brown to purple.