Adenanthos cuneatus 'Coral Carpet'

Coral Carpet Woolly Bush

Botanical Name: Adenanthos cuneatus ‘Coral Carpet’
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Western Australia (cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen prostrate shrub / groundcover

Overview

Adenanthos cuneatus ‘Coral Carpet’ is a low-growing, spreading Australian native selected for its soft, finely textured foliage and striking coral-red flowers. Exceptionally well suited to Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, it forms a dense, weed-suppressing carpet that thrives in full sun, free-draining soils and low-water conditions.

Flowering mainly from late winter through spring, the unusual coral-red blooms sit just above the foliage and are highly attractive to honeyeaters. Unlike many flowering groundcovers, ‘Coral Carpet’ also delivers year-round interest through its velvety, silver-grey foliage, which adds softness and contrast to native, coastal and waterwise landscapes. Tough, drought tolerant and low maintenance once established, it’s ideal for banks, verges, rockeries and spilling over retaining walls.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.2–0.4 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (low, spreading, mat-forming habit)
• Growth Rate: 20–40 cm of outward spread per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Soft, finely divided grey-green to silver foliage with a velvety texture; evergreen; colour intensifies in dry, sunny conditions
• Flowers: Small but vivid coral-red tubular flowers from late winter to spring, held close to foliage
  
• Fragrance: Not fragrant
• Seasonal Interest: Silvery evergreen foliage year-round with a winter–spring flowering highlight
• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to honeyeaters; provides low shelter for small birds and beneficial insects
• Tolerance: Drought tolerant once established; excellent heat and wind tolerance; second-line coastal tolerant; light frost hardy; dislikes humidity and waterlogged soils
• Planting Density: Groundcover coverage: 1 plant per 1.5–2.5 m²; Groundcover coverage: 1 plant per 1.5–2.5 m²
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic; discourage chewing

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best colour, density and flowering; tolerates light part shade with reduced bloom
• Soil: Free-draining sandy, gravelly or loamy soils; performs well on limestone; avoid heavy clay and waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; minimal watering in winter
• Maintenance: Very low — light tip-pruning after flowering if shaping is required; avoid hard pruning into old wood; mulch lightly with gravel or coarse organic mulch
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia — Adelaide Plains, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline soils if drainage is excellent

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Soft groundcover for native and waterwise gardens
• Bank stabilisation and spill-over planting on slopes or retaining walls
• Coastal and exposed sites where silver foliage adds contrast
• Pair with grevillea, westringia, lomandra and leucophyta
• Feature groundcover in modern Mediterranean or native landscapes

Why You Will Love It

‘Coral Carpet’ combines touchable silver foliage, vivid winter colour and exceptional toughness in a low-growing native that thrives on neglect. Perfect for Adelaide’s dry climate, it delivers year-round softness, bird appeal and weed suppression with virtually no maintenance — a standout groundcover for sustainable SA gardens.