Description

A medium-sized evergreen shrub to 4 to 6 feet tall with finely divided, dark-green leaves that are held upright. From late fall to mid spring, and sporadically at other times, appear the tall erect stems, 8 to 9 feet tall, bearing 3 to 4 inch long bottlebrush-like clusters of violet-pink flowers held high above the main portion of the shrub with some flowering also at the tips of the foliage. Plant in full sun in a very well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral at the surface, but can be more alkaline at depth with infrequent to NO summer irrigation once established - this is a drought tolerant shrub! Its hardiness is not well known yet but thought to tolerate temperatures down to mid 20s° F. Avoid using fertilizer with phosphorous. Reportedly responds well to hard pruning. This attractive plant should be great as a specimen in the background where its wands of flowers can rise above other plants. A fun plant for a large container too. In habitat this plant is widespread in lateritic gravely soils in the northern and central sandplain regions in of the hot dry mediterranean climate of the Avon and Irwin districts in Western Australia. In Australia it has proven difficult to maintain in cultivation in humid and wet summer areas but it should be at home in our mediterranean climate so long as it is given full sun and good drainage. Its stunning and unusual appearance makes it worth the attempt to keep it happy.