Adenanthos Cunninghamii 'Prostrate'
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Prostrate Woolly Bush
Botanical Name: Adenanthos × cunninghamii ‘Prostrate’
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: South-west Western Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen low, spreading shrub / groundcover
Overview
A soft, silver-green woolly shrub with a naturally prostrate to low-mounding habit. New shoots can flush bronze/red, and in spring the plant bears small red to pink-red flowers tucked among the foliage—subtle, but good for nectar feeders. Excellent for coastal and dry, well-drained sites, banks and textural mass plantings in SA.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.6-1.2 m H x 1.5-3 m W (low, spreading)
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions (spreads steadily)
- Foliage: Very soft, silvery blue-green; fine, feathery/woolly texture; tips may colour red/bronze
- Flowers: Small red–orange/pink-red heads, mainly spring; attractive to small nectar eaters, but not showy.
- Seasonal Interest: Silver foliage year-round; spring nectar bloom
- Wildlife Value: Nectar for birds/insects
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; light frost; second-line coastal;
- Planting Density: Mass/groundcover: 1–1.5 m apart; Low informal edge (≈0.8–1.0 m high): 1 m apart
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to pets; as with any plant, ingestion may cause mild tummy upset.
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (densest in sun)
- Soil: Well-drained sand/loam; sloping sites ideal; lime tolerant
- Water Needs: Establishment: regular deep soaks for 8–12 weeks. Established: low water; deep soak every 3–4 weeks in summer (more in heatwaves); rarely in winter if dry.
- Maintenance: Minimal—tip-prune lightly after flowering to keep neat; avoid hard cuts into old wood
- Lifespan: 10–20+ years in well-drained, low-humidity sites
- Climate Zones: Temperate/Mediterranean SA; coastal (second-line)
- Soil pH: Neutral (adaptable acid–alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Groundcover/mass for silver texture
- Coastal and dry gardens
- Banks/retaining walls and erosion control
- Contrast with dark greens and grasses
- Low, informal edging (not a privacy hedge)
Why You Will Love It
Feathery silver foliage you’ll want to touch, tough as nails once established, and a beautiful low, spreading form that shines in sunny, free-draining sites.