{"product_id":"white-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus","title":"White Cat's Whiskers - Orthosiphon aristatus","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhite Cat's Whiskers (\u003cem\u003eOrthosiphon aristatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a bushy, fast-growing shrub from far north Queensland that reaches about 1m tall and wide. Dark green leaves carry white, conical flower heads with long whisker-like stamens through the warmer months. Pollinators find it quickly, and it is one of the most distinctive flowers you can put in a cottage garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistinctive flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each white flower head carries long, curved stamens that look like cat's whiskers, which is how it earned its name.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA magnet for pollinators.\u003c\/strong\u003e It attracts beneficial insects and other nectar lovers, so it earns its place in a kitchen garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast and bushy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It builds a rounded shrub about 1m high and wide, clothed in dark green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA north Queensland native.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows naturally in tropical far north Queensland, as well as India and southern Asia, and loves warmth and regular rain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible in the garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits cottage gardens, mixed borders and kitchen gardens, in full sun or dappled shade depending on your rainfall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixed borders and cottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 80cm apart so the bushes meet and form a soft, flowering drift. It pairs well with other warm climate perennials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKitchen and wildlife gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuck a few plants among the vegetables and herbs to bring in pollinators and other beneficial insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots in cooler areas.\u003c\/strong\u003e Where frost is a risk, grow it in a large pot you can move under cover in winter, or treat it as an annual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing White Cat's Whiskers in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun if you have tropical rainfall, otherwise dappled or part shade gives the best results. It is a warmth lover, at home in tropical and subtropical gardens. In frosty areas protect it or grow it as an annual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well drained soil of any kind. Add compost to sandy ground to hold moisture, and mulch to keep the roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks while it establishes. After that keep watering regularly in dry spells, because it loves steady rainfall. Feed in early spring with a slow release, all purpose fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut it back in autumn to encourage flowering shoots next season. Clip lightly at other times if you want a tidier, denser shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell White Cat's Whiskers as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Expect a small leafy plant that grows quickly in warm weather and flowers once it has put on some size. In cooler districts, plant out after the last frost.\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\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-subtropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for subtropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it called cat's whiskers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers carry long, curved stamens that stick out like whiskers from the white flower heads. Pollinators find them easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it where it gets frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is frost tender. In cooler districts, plant it after the last frost and protect it with mulch, grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover, or treat it as an annual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun suits it where rainfall is tropical and reliable. In drier or hotter places, dappled or part shade is better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789643841855,"sku":"ORT-ARI-tube","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67789643874623,"sku":"ORT-ARI-140MM-P10","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/white-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus.jpg?v=1792192790","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/white-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}