Adenanthos (Woolybush)

Adenanthos

( ad - en - ANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

Adenanthos is a genus of evergreen shrubs and groundcovers hailing from Australia, divided into Wollybrushes (those with furry, silvery, finely divided leaves) and Jugflowers (those with winter-to-spring blossoms shaped like jugs). Visitors to your garden can be invited to touch the furry, silky foliage of Wollybrushes. Stems and blooms are long-lasting in flower arrangements, and they can make a great addition to any garden, attracting pollinators with their bright flowers. Most Adenanthos need partial shade, especially in the hottest climates, and need little to moderate water, making them a great choice for water-wise gardeners. They are generally hardy down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and can take wind and salty conditions, making them great for coastal gardens, as well. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as some species are toxic, and others can cause skin irritation on contact.

Adenanthos Species and Varietals

There are 33 species recognized in the genus Adenanthos, which belongs to the family Proteaceae. The name Adenanthos comes from the Greek 'aden' meaning 'a gland' and 'anthos' meaning 'a flower'. Adenanthos grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset zones 8, 9, and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Adenanthos cuneatus (Coastal Jugflower, Flame Bush)
This is an erect, spreading shrub that grows to be about 3 to 5 feet high and is slightly wider than it is tall. Leaves are silver-green and wedge-shaped. The leaf tips are scalloped. New growth on the plant is red and slightly translucent, giving it a glowing appearance in the right light. Flowers are jug-shaped and dark pink to dull red. Cultivars include 'Coral Carpet' and 'Coral Drift', compact shrubs with bright pink new foliage. 'Flat Out' is a low-spreading form that can be used as a small-space groundcover.

Adenanthos x cunninghamii (Albany Woolybush)
This hybrid Adenanthos is a naturally-occurring cross between Adenanthos sericeus and Adenanthos cuneatus. This shrub grows 3 to 4 feet high and 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity. Scarlet flowers are well-concealed behind silvery foliage. Foliage and flowers are very nice for both fresh and dried arrangements.

Adenanthos detmoldii (Yellow Jugflower)
This is a larger variety, growing to be 8 to 10 feet tall and slightly less wide. The habit of this shrub is graceful and upright, with showy yellow-orange flowers topping slender stems. Can tolerate wet winters. Cultivar 'Metallica' is a popular garden ornamental.

Adenanthos sericeus (Coastal Wollybrush)
This variety grows to be 6 to 20 feet tall and wide. They are known for being very soft and silky, with silvery foliage. In fact, sericeus means 'silky' in Latin. Few red flowers appear throughout the year. This variety is great when used as a screen or pruned into a small tree. Popular cultivars include 'Silver Streak' (with compact growth habit and shimmery silver foliage), 'Mallee Legend' (aka Dwarf Woolybush), 'Platinum' (with divided, silver-grey foliage), and 'Sherwood Mist' (with slightly greener foliage than the species).

caring for adenanthos

Adenanthos plants can make great screening plants, members of sensory gardens, or groundcovers and will do well against fences. They are typically purchased as nursery plants from a reputable seller. Plant Adenanthos in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. Light requirements can vary depending on the species, but they typically thrive when they can get around 6 hours of direct sun each day. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these shrubs are considered to be drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental irrigation during extended periods of dry weather.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. These plants are not used to phosphorus in their native soils, so make sure to use a phosphorus-free fertilizer in the vicinity if you are using fertilizers. Pruning is optional for Adenanthos, though they do take well to hedging and shaping. Most gardeners simply prune to create the shape they desire, especially if the plant is being grown as a specimen or if it is in a more ornamental or formal garden. They can take severe pruning well if size needs to be controlled or if a rejuvenation is needed. The best time to prune Adenanthos shrubs is in early springtime. These plants, if well cared for, will last for several decades in the landscape.

Growing Adenanthos in Containers
Adenanthos can be grown in the ground or in containers. Choose a large container that is at least 2 inches wider and deeper than the root ball. A light potting mix amended with sand, perlite, and organic matter is perfect for these shrubs; fill in the bottom and around the sides of the root ball, keeping the soil level about 2 inches below the rim of the container. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly; Adenanthos shrubs grown in containers will need more frequent waterings than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, irrigate whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Propagation

Adenanthos is best propagated by cuttings. To do this, you will need clean, sharp garden shears, a tub of water, rooting hormone powder, a pencil, organic potting soil, and pots. Follow the instructions below to propagate Adenanthos by cutting:

In spring or fall, take a few cuttings from your parent Adenanthos plant that are 4-6 inches long using clean, sharp garden shears or snips. Make sure you are taking your cuttings from the ends of new herbaceous growth rather than older woody growth, as cuttings will root more successfully.
Prepare your pot by filling it with soil and watering it, ensuring that excellent drainage is taking place.
Submerge your cutting completely in a tub of water, then take it out and remove (pinch off) all of the leaves below the top 3/4 inches. Dip the bottom of your cutting in rooting hormone powder.
Poke a hole in the soil with your pencil for each cutting you have taken from the parent plant. Ensure that they are spaced at least two inches apart. Then, insert your cuttings into each hole and fill in around the bases (do not pack down soil too much).
Place your container in a spot that receives bright indirect light. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, while the cuttings are creating roots. After three months have passed, your cuttings that have rooted should be showing some new growth. If you have trouble identifying new growth, take progress pictures once a week from the two-month mark, and look for differences. Pot up cuttings as they outgrow their containers. After six months of nursery growth, the plant can be transplanted outdoors. The best time to plant young Adenanthos shrubs is in springtime after the last frost of the year has passed.