Adenanthos sericeus (Coast Woollybush) - This fine-textured beautiful upright shrub or small tree typically grows to 6-10 feet tall with wispy stems that are covered with soft gray needle-like foliage that is very soft to touch and flushes pink in new growth. It has small red flowers appear at the base of the leaves off and on throughout the year.
It grows best in full sun along the coast and partial shade in warmer locations with little to moderate water once established in a well-draining soil. An excellent choice for a coastal planting as it is both salt and wind tolerant though not tolerant of heavy clay or wet soils. Cold hardy to about 20-25° F although tip damage has been noted around 24° F in a central California nursery. A beautiful plant for the garden and great for cut foliage.
Coast Woolybush is native to King George Sound on the southern coast of Western Australia, where it grows within splashing distance to the ocean. The name Adenanthos comes from the Greek 'aden' meaning "a gland" and 'anthos' meaning "a flower" and is in reference to the flowers' prominent nectaries. The specific epithet is the Latin word meaning "silky" in reference to this plants very soft foliage.
We had sold this plant since 1998 and previously listed it as Adenanthos sericea, but changed our listing to Adenanthos sericeus in 2005 on the advice of Dr. Charles Nelson, author of the section on Adenanthos (Proteaceae) in the Flora of Australia (16: 314-342). In the past we also grew a selection of this plant we called Adenanthos sericeus 'Sherwood Mist') that had a bit more of a compact growth form and slightly greener leaves.
The information about Adenanthos sericeus displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |