Pycnosorus Globosus

Billy Buttons / Drumsticks

Botanical Name: Pycnosorus globosus
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Inland and coastal Australia
Plant Type: Perennial wildflower

Overview

A cheerful, waterwise Australian native loved for its glowing golden-yellow globe flowers that rise on tall, slender stems above soft grey-green foliage. Pycnosorus globosus thrives in Adelaide’s dry, sunny climate, bringing a burst of colour and texture to native gardens, borders, and wildflower plantings. It’s equally stunning in cut-flower arrangements or mass plantings where its sculptural blooms add vibrancy and charm.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.3–0.5 m H × 0.3 m W
• Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow silvery-grey leaves, soft and lightly hairy; maintains colour year-round in mild conditions
• Flowers: Round, bright golden-yellow globes (2–3 cm across) on slender stems from spring through summer, often longer in mild coastal areas
  
• Seasonal Interest: Long-lasting floral display and textural foliage; excellent for dried or fresh arrangements
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees, butterflies, and pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (front-line); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 4–6 plants per m² for dense displays or natural drifts
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun is essential for strong flowering; tolerates very light shade but produces fewer blooms
• Soil: Free-draining sandy or loamy soils; tolerates poor and slightly saline soils; dislikes heavy clay or waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Minimal – remove spent flower stems after blooming to promote fresh growth; replace older plants every 3–5 years for best performance
• Lifespan: 5–8 years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Temperate and Mediterranean SA, thrives in Adelaide, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa, and coastal regions
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred; tolerates mildly acidic soils

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Rock & Gravel Gardens: Works beautifully with boulders and ornamental grasses for a low-water design
• Container Planting: Great in pots or troughs for alfresco spaces, patios, or sunny courtyards
• Mass Planting: Striking in groups for glowing yellow drifts in spring–summer landscapes
• Cottage & Coastal Gardens: Adds bold, modern contrast to silvers and greens; pairs beautifully with Leucophyta, Westringia, and Grevillea groundcovers
• Wildflower Meadows & Native Borders: Mix with Chrysocephalum, Scaevola, and Lomandra for textural, long-flowering native drifts

Why You Will Love It

This Aussie favourite adds a joyful pop of gold to South Australian gardens — tough enough for heat, wind, and dry spells, yet delicate and striking in bloom. Pycnosorus globosus delivers charm, resilience, and lasting visual interest from the garden bed to the vase — a truly effortless performer for sunny Adelaide landscapes.