{"product_id":"old-man-saltbush-atriplex-nummularia","title":"Old Man Saltbush - Atriplex nummularia","description":"\u003cp\u003eOld Man Saltbush (\u003cem\u003eAtriplex nummularia\u003c\/em\u003e) is a rugged Australian native shrub with silver-grey leaves, growing 2m to 3m high and 2m to 4m wide. This is the wild species form, big and bold, and it thrives where little else survives: salt wind, baking clay, poor sand and months without rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough in salt, wind and drought.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows from frontline coastal dunes to the arid red centre, so a difficult garden is rarely a problem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSilver foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Round to triangular silver-grey leaves reflect the sun and shine out at night beside a drive or road.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeep roots that hold ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e The roots knit sand dunes together and make it a practical choice for erosion control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHelps with salty soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plantings of saltbush can reduce soil salinity, preparing the ground for other plants later.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBush tucker and forage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves have been eaten as bush tucker and are good forage food for stock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWindbreaks and exposed sites.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 2m apart for a windbreak. The wide, spreading habit knits into a dense silver barrier that shelters more tender plants behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens and dunes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt-soaked wind that scorches most shrubs leaves it untouched, which makes it a natural frontline plant for the coast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBanks, driveways and roadsides.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its deep roots stabilise slopes, and its silver colour brightens driveway and roadside plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Old Man Saltbush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun. It thrives across most of Australia, from coastal dunes to the arid inland, and tolerates frosty spots. It does not like the high humidity of the tropical north, so it is a poor match there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates most soil types, including clay, salt, sand and very alkaline ground, and it copes with seasonal flooding. Avoid ground that is permanently boggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water well during dry periods while it is establishing. Established plants tolerate severe drought and neglect, although in a garden setting the foliage looks better with some water in dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune in spring or autumn to keep it tidy or to trim it to shape. An annual trim keeps this wayward shrub looking groomed in an urban garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Old Man Saltbush as tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical choice for windbreaks and large areas, while the pots give a larger plant from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock is supplied by our grower and is not always on hand. When it shows as sold out, use the notify button on the page and you will be emailed the day it is available again.\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=\"\/collections\/saltbush\"\u003eThe full saltbush range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-windbreaks\"\u003ePlants for windbreaks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\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\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use it as a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an informal one, yes. It is a big, wayward shrub in its wild form, so give it room and an annual trim in spring or autumn. For a tight, formal hedge, choose a more compact plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much water does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular water while it establishes, then very little. Once settled it tolerates severe drought, though it looks fuller with a drink in the driest weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with the humid tropics?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt struggles with high humidity in the tropical north. It does best in drier or temperate climates, and it is at home on coasts and in the arid inland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790205485375,"sku":"ATR-NUM-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790205550911,"sku":"ATR-NUM-140MM-P10","price":203.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67790205583679,"sku":"ATR-NUM-200MM-P6","price":243.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/old-man-saltbush-atriplex-nummularia.jpg?v=1792196210","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/old-man-saltbush-atriplex-nummularia","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}