verticordia plumosa

( ver - tih - KOR - dee - uh      plew - MOH - suh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Featherflower or Plumed Featherflower, this species of evergreen shrub needs full sun to partial shade and little water. It is native to southwestern Australia and reaches 3 feet tall and wide, with wavy branches and needlelike, linear foliage. Lavender to light pink flowers bloom at branch tips from late winter through spring, and they make excellent additions to cut flower arrangements. The ideal growing zones for Featherflower are 16, 17 and 22-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
The genus Verticordia is a member of the Myrtle family Myrtaceae, and includes over 100 distinct species. Verticordia plumosa was the first species in the genus to be formally described by Rene Louiche Desfontaines in 1839, and was initially thought to be a member of the genus Chamelaucium. In 1917, George Druce changed the name (and genus) to Verticordia plumosa. The specific epithet 'plumosa' refers to the shrub's feathery sepals. These shrubs produce what is called a lignotuber, a swollen, woody growth towards the base of the plant (either above ground or underground) that stores an energy reserve in case the rest of the plant is destroyed through fire or other destruction. Despite their interesting way of protecting from harsh conditions, a few varieties of this species are considered endangered.

Caring for and pruning verticordia plumosa shrubs

Plant your Featherflower in full sun, and ensure that soil is well-draining. These shrubs are happiest when they get about 6-8 hours of sun each day. A mix of sandy-loamy soil is ideal for these shrubs; they are adapted to arid conditions, preferring infrequent but deep waterings. A good rule of thumb is to allow the soil to fully dry out between waterings.  Although they do not necessarily need additional feedings, they can sometimes benefit from a feeding with a water-soluble, well-balanced fertilizer in spring to early fall. Avoid phosphorus-heavy fertilizers for these plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the shrub to increase soil moisture retention and suppress weed growth.

In wintertime, because these shrubs are generally adapted to warmer climates, they may need some extra protection with a burlap cover to prevent frost damage. After the flowering period has concluded, these shrubs can be pruned lightly to shape and encourage a bushier growing habit. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches during pruning activities. These plants can be grown in containers, as well as the soil is very well-draining. They will need more frequent waterings in this situation, but they generally do well as long as their container is situated in a full-sun spot in the garden. 

Propagation

Verticordia plumosa can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Verticordia plumosa by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Verticordia plumosa by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that sowing these seeds is not always a successful process. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Caesalpinia plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Featherflower is susceptible to issues with the following pests and diseases:
  • Spider Mites
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Alternaria
For more information on these problems, consult the following links:
​

Gallery

These shrubs produce a variety of flower colors.
These shrubs are small but pack a mighty floral punch when in bloom.
Use Verticordia plumosa shrubs in mixed low-water use beds, to line pathways, or to fill in areas of the garden with no formal irrigation.

Videos

There are no videos available at this time.

Resources

Plumed Featherflower
Verticordia plumosa - Plumed Feather Flower
Verticordia plumosa
Verticordia plumosa - Flower Power
Wikipedia: Verticordia plumosa
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 648, Verticordia plumosa (Featherflower)
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​