{"product_id":"enchylaena-tomentosa","title":"Enchylaena tomentosa","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRuby Saltbush \/ Barrier Saltbush\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eEnchylaena tomentosa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chenopodiaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Australia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen to semi-evergreen low shrub \/ groundcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfectly adapted to Adelaide’s dry, Mediterranean climate, \u003cem data-start=\"477\" data-end=\"499\"\u003eEnchylaena tomentosa\u003c\/em\u003e is a tough, low-growing Australian native prized for its soft grey-green foliage and striking ruby-red to pink edible berries. Naturally occurring across much of arid and semi-arid Australia, it thrives in heat, poor soils, wind and low rainfall, making it an excellent choice for South Australian gardens focused on resilience and water efficiency. Its spreading, mound-forming habit works beautifully as a groundcover, low informal edging or filler plant in native, coastal and low-maintenance landscapes. While not fragrant, the foliage has a soft, felted texture and may develop subtle silvery or blue-grey tints during dry periods, adding understated year-round interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.3–0.6 m H × 1–2 m W (low, spreading habit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft, rounded grey-green leaves with a felted texture; foliage may take on silvery or bluish tints in dry, exposed or coastal conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by decorative ruby-red to pink fleshy berries from late winter through summer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1720\"\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen structure year-round with colourful berries providing interest from late winter through summer; foliage colour remains attractive through dry periods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Berries attract birds; dense growth provides shelter for small reptiles and beneficial insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely drought tolerant once established; excellent heat, wind and coastal tolerance; salt tolerant; light frost hardy; thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Groundcover use: 1 plant per 1.5–2.5 m²; informal edging or mass planting: 1–1.5 m apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic; berries are edible for humans and wildlife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light part shade; best form and berry production in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining sandy, loamy or limestone soils; tolerates poor, saline and alkaline soils; avoid prolonged waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 1–2 deep soaks\/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: very low water needs; occasional deep watering during extended heatwaves only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low; prune lightly if shaping is required; no regular feeding needed; avoid rich fertilisers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20+ years in well-drained conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for arid, semi-arid, temperate and Mediterranean South Australia — Adelaide Plains, coastal suburbs, Fleurieu, Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to alkaline; highly tolerant of alkaline and saline soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaterwise native groundcover for dry gardens and nature strips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal and salt-exposed landscapes where other plants struggle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInformal edging or filler plant in native and Mediterranean designs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHabitat gardens supporting birds and small fauna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow-maintenance mass plantings paired with \u003cem data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3518\"\u003eWestringia\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"3520\" data-end=\"3530\"\u003eAtriplex\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"3532\" data-end=\"3544\"\u003eEremophila\u003c\/em\u003e and native grasses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3598\" data-end=\"3620\"\u003eEnchylaena tomentosa\u003c\/em\u003e is a true survivor — tough, attractive and incredibly water-wise. Its soft grey foliage, bright ruby berries and ability to thrive in Adelaide’s harsh conditions make it an outstanding choice for sustainable gardens. With virtually no maintenance and strong ecological value, it delivers beauty, resilience and native character year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48615473119484,"sku":"ENCH-TOME-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/enchylaena-tomentosa-ruby-barrier-saltbush-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1766134630","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/enchylaena-tomentosa","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}