What are the care requirements for Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush'?

Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' thrives in full sun with well-draining soil and is drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply during the establishment period and in extended dry spells, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering and soils high in phosphorus. Light pruning after flowering can help maintain its shape.

Is Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' suitable for coastal and rock gardens?

Yes, Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' is highly suitable for both coastal and rock gardens. It tolerates salty winds, sandy or gravelly soils, and is ideal for dry landscapes due to its low water needs. Its silvery, soft foliage adds unique texture and beauty to these garden styles.

Does Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' attract wildlife or have pest problems?

Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' attracts nectar-feeding birds and beneficial insects, contributing to a vibrant garden ecosystem. It is generally pest- and disease-resistant. The main issue to avoid is root rot, which can be prevented by ensuring good drainage and avoiding excess water.

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Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush': Soft-Textured Australian Shrub, Silvery-Green Foliage, Low-Water and Coastal Hardy

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🐑 Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush': A Touch of Softness and Texture

The Adenanthos sericeus (commonly sold as Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush') is a superb Australian native shrub, highly popular for its unique, velvety-soft foliage and excellent performance as a screen or specimen plant.² Belonging to the Proteaceae family, this evergreen shrub is native to Western Australia and is best known for its dense covering of fine, needle-like leaves that are coated in tiny hairs, giving the plant a distinctive silvery-gray color and an irresistible, woolly texture.³

The Woolly Bush is not only a textural masterpiece but also an extremely resilient, low-maintenance shrub.⁴ It thrives in poor, sandy soils and is highly valued for its exceptional salt and wind tolerance, making it an outstanding choice for coastal gardens. Though the flowers are small and inconspicuous—tiny reddish-pink tubes hidden among the leaves—they are a source of nectar, particularly attractive to native birds.⁵ This plant is a fantastic, drought-tolerant alternative to traditional hedges, providing beautiful silvery color and a soft, tactile element to the landscape.

Botanical Characteristics

Characteristic	Detail
Scientific Name	Adenanthos sericeus (Species)
Common Names	Woolly Bush, Silver Streak, Coastal Woolly Bush
Growth Habit	A dense, upright, and well-branched evergreen shrub that maintains a narrow, columnar to rounded shape.
Foliage	Finely dissected, needle-like, silvery-gray leaves with a distinct, soft, woolly texture.
Flowers	Small, tubular, often hidden reddish-pink or creamy-yellow flowers, occurring sporadically throughout the year.
Flowering Season	Year-round sporadic flowering; grown primarily for its foliage and texture.
Special Features	Exceptional soft texture and very high coastal, salt, and wind tolerance.

Mature Size

Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' is known for its moderate-to-large size, making it useful for screening and hedging.⁶

Height: Typically reaches a substantial 6–10 feet (1.8–3 meters) tall, occasionally taller.⁷
Spread: Achieves a manageable spread of 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) wide.
Its upright, narrow shape is ideal for screens and background plantings where verticality is desired.⁸

USDA Hardiness Zone

This Australian shrub is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11.⁹ It thrives in mild, temperate climates and is sensitive to hard frosts and prolonged freezing temperatures.

Cultivation and Care

Aspect	Care Instructions
Sunlight	Prefers full sun for the best silvery color and dense growth. Tolerates very light shade.
Soil	Critical: Requires perfectly draining, sandy, or light, gritty soil. Heavy clay or wet feet are fatal.
Water	Highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply and infrequently. During the first year, water regularly until roots are set.
Fertilizer	CRUCIAL: AVOID all phosphorus fertilizers. Use a specific low-phosphorus native plant formula, or skip fertilizing entirely.
Pruning	Responds well to light tip pruning to encourage a denser shape. Can be sheared into a formal hedge, but is often best left natural.

Landscape Use

Screening and Hedging: Its dense, upright habit makes it an excellent choice for a privacy screen or informal hedge.¹⁰
Coastal Gardens: Essential for seaside landscapes due to its resistance to salt spray and wind.¹¹
Textural Accent: Provides a unique, soft contrast to plants with dark green or spiky foliage.
Low-Water Garden: A staple plant for xeriscape and water-wise designs.¹²

Wildlife Attraction

While the flowers are not showy, their small, tubular shape contains nectar that attracts native nectar-feeding birds (honeyeaters in Australia; hummingbirds elsewhere).¹³ The dense foliage provides excellent shelter and nesting sites.¹⁴

Pest and Disease Resistance

The Woolly Bush is generally very tough and free of serious pests and diseases.¹⁵ The most common cause of decline is root rot or collar rot, a result of poor drainage or overwatering, especially in humid conditions. Ensure proper soil preparation and irrigation for a healthy plant.

Propagation

For commercial purposes, Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush' is reliably propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken during the growing season. Cuttings should be treated with rooting hormone and placed in a porous, well-draining medium. This vegetative method ensures the new plant retains the desirable woolly texture and growth habit of the parent.

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Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush': Soft-Textured Australian Shrub, Silvery-Green Foliage, Low-Water and Coastal Hardy

Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush': Soft-Textured Australian Shrub, Silvery-Green Foliage, Low-Water and Coastal Hardy

🐑 Adenanthos 'Woolly Bush': A Touch of Softness and Texture

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