Woolly Bush

Woolly Bush (Adenanthos sericeus) is the original species form: a soft, silky, upright native shrub from the Western Australian coast. Its listed size runs from 1m to 5m tall, depending on site and climate, and 1m to 1.5m wide. Lime grey green, hair-like leaves cover tall upright stems, and in spring tiny coral flowers may appear at the tips.

Why you'll love it

• Soft to touch. The hair-like foliage is silky and pale, a shrub people brush a hand across as they walk past.
• A native Christmas tree. Grown in a large pot, its upright, feathery branching makes a Christmas tree that is entirely Australian.
• Good for cutting. The foliage is valued in the floristry trade, so you can grow it for the vase as well as the garden.
• Made for the seaside. A coastal native, it makes a strong choice for beachside gardens, in sandy soil and open air.
• Adaptable if drained. Though it comes from the west coast, it has done well on the Sunshine Coast, as long as the drainage is perfect.

Where it works best

Screens and feature shrubs. For a loose, silvery screen, plant 1m apart. Because it is upright and fairly narrow, it fits where a wide shrub cannot.

Large pots. A big container gives you control over the drainage it insists on, and makes the Christmas tree trick possible.

Seaside gardens. Sun, sea air and sand suit it. Set it on a rise or the top of a slope in an open, airy position.

Growing Woolly Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, in an open spot with good airflow. It prefers a Mediterranean climate with dry summers, so it suits the southern states and inland gardens most easily. On the humid east coast it still performs, provided you plant it high and drain it well.

Soil. Free draining sandy or gravelly soil with a neutral to low acid pH. In the wild it grows on sandy granite, so on clay plant on a mound or at the top of a slope.

Water and feed. Keep the roots mulched and water well through the first season, then taper off. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser, not a general garden one.

Pruning. Prune very lightly, only to shape. Take the soft tips when you cut stems for the vase, and leave bare old wood alone.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Woolly Bush as tube stock and 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the usual choice for a long screen. The 200mm pots in packs of 6 carry more growth and give you a taller plant to start with.

Availability of the tube depends on our grower, who does not always have stock. A sold out tube simply means none is ready, and the notify button on this page emails 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

• Australian native shrubs
• Hedging and screening plants
• Plants for coastal gardens
• A guide to planning a coastal garden

Common questions

How tall will it get?

It is listed anywhere from 1m to 5m tall and 1m to 1.5m wide. Site, soil and climate decide where in that range it lands, and a pot keeps it smaller.

Can I grow it in a humid climate?

Yes, with care. Free draining soil is a must, so plant it high, in an open spot with plenty of air movement, and do not let the roots sit wet.

Can I cut it for flower arrangements?

Yes. The soft foliage is valued in floristry, and it is also popular as a native Christmas tree. Take soft tips and leave the old wood.