Palgarup Trigger Stylidium

Palgarup Trigger Stylidium (Stylidium adnatum var. abbreviatum 'Palgarup Trigger') is a small Western Australian native, about 30cm high and wide, with neat green foliage and delicate pink to white flowers. The four-petalled flowers sit in a diagonal cross and have a trigger that flicks over when an insect lands, which is why it is called a trigger plant. It is a quirky, hardy little plant for rockeries, borders and pots.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers with a trigger. When an insect lands, the flower's trigger arm snaps over in an instant, which is fun to watch.
• Delicate pink and white blooms. Dainty four-petalled flowers in a diagonal cross sit above neat green foliage.
• Pint-sized. At 30cm by 30cm it fits tiny gardens, rockery pockets and pots.
• Hardy and fuss-free. It is low maintenance, and it can handle most temperatures, including occasional light frost.
• A conversation starter. A little plant with a big story, it adds intrigue to a native garden.

Where it works best

Rockeries and sandy beds. Plant 30cm apart in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil in a sunny spot. It looks best in small drifts.

Native gardens and borders. Tuck it into the front of a native bed, where its flowers are close enough to see and its small scale suits low plants.

Small spaces and containers. It is perfect for small garden spaces and for pots, where the trigger flowers can be enjoyed at eye level.

Growing Palgarup Trigger Stylidium in Australia

Position and climate. A sunny spot suits it best. It is native to southern Western Australia, where it grows in gum forests and paperbark swamps, and it suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. It is hardy and handles occasional light frost. Humid, wet summers on the east coast can be harder for it, so choose a sunny, well drained spot there.

Soil. Plant in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. Heavy clay and soggy ground are best avoided. In pots, use a free-draining native or gritty mix.

Water and feed. Water moderately and let the soil dry out between drinks. Follow with an application of a native slow release fertiliser, kept light.

Pruning. Low maintenance and fuss-free. Prune lightly if needed to keep it tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Palgarup Trigger Stylidium as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes suit a rockery or a group planting, and the 140mm pots give plants that are closer to flowering size. Plant it in sandy or gravelly soil in the sun.

Our grower supplies the tube, and supply comes and goes. A sold out tube just means the grower has none right now: press the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it returns.

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 all Australian natives
• Plants that suit rockeries
• Designing a native garden for wildlife
• Plants for small gardens

Common questions

What is a trigger plant?

The flowers have a trigger arm that snaps over when an insect lands, dusting it with pollen. The movement takes a fraction of a second, and the arm resets afterwards.

Can it handle frost?

It handles most temperatures, including occasional light frost. Hard, repeated frosts are beyond what we can promise.

What soil does it need?

Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil in a sunny spot. It does not like wet or heavy ground.