Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

$180.00

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Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm/33cm: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m to 5m

Mature Width: 1m to 3m

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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About Your New Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Adenanthos sericeus has the softest foliage of any Australian native, a fine silver-grey plume so silky that people cannot walk past without touching it. The Woolly Bush earns its place on texture alone, with small red flowers appearing sporadically through the year as a bonus.

Adenanthos sericeus grows to 2 to 5 metres tall and 1 to 3 metres wide at 20 to 40 centimetres per year, holding an upright conical habit that reads almost like a soft conifer. It works as a feature specimen, a tactile plant in a sensory garden, an informal screen, or a striking pot plant.

This Australian native is frost sensitive, so in cold districts choose a protected position or grow it in a pot. It needs full sun to part shade, sharp drainage and low-phosphorus feeding, and once established is highly drought tolerant.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Adenanthos sericeus

How big does the Woolly Bush grow?

Adenanthos sericeus reaches 2 to 5 metres tall and 1 to 3 metres wide, holding an upright conical habit that resembles a soft silver conifer.

Why is the foliage so soft?

The fine divided leaves are covered in dense silky hairs, giving an exceptionally soft silvery texture. It is one of the most tactile plants available and popular in sensory gardens.

Is Adenanthos sericeus frost tolerant?

No. It is frost sensitive and may be damaged by frost. Choose a protected position in cold districts, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.

What soil and feeding does it need?

Sharp drainage is essential, and it must have low-phosphorus native fertiliser only. Like all Proteaceae it is damaged by high-phosphorus formulations.

Can the Woolly Bush be grown in a pot?

Yes. It is popular as a pot specimen and is sometimes used as a living Christmas tree given its soft conical form. Use a free-draining native mix.

Does Adenanthos sericeus flower?

Yes. Small red tubular flowers appear sporadically through the year, partly hidden within the foliage. They attract honeyeaters despite being inconspicuous.

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Plant 1.5 to 2 metres apart for an informal silver screen, or 3 metres apart as individual feature specimens.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Rural Property Planting
Shrubs
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Revegetation or Regeneration

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.

Is Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush Evergreen or Deciduous?

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m to 5m

Mature Width: 1m to 3m

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Is Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush frost tolerant?

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush Flower?

Adenanthos sericeus produces small, tubular red to orange flowers throughout the warmer months, though they are subtle against its soft, silver-grey foliage. These fine blooms add a gentle seasonal highlight and provide an attractive contrast to its woolly, textured leaves.

Does Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Sporadic

Flower Type:

Tubular

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is Native to South-western Western Australia, particularly near coastal regions and sandy heathlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush ?

Its delicate flowers provide nectar for honeyeaters and native bees, while the dense, soft foliage offers shelter for small birds and beneficial insects. This combination helps support a healthy, biodiverse garden ecosystem, especially in coastal regions.

How much Sunlight does Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush need?

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Adenanthos sericeus performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It is highly intolerant of heavy clay or poorly drained sites unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and develops reliable drought resilience.

Is Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush Drought Tolerant?

Is Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Adenanthos sericeus develops strong drought tolerance. It performs reliably in coastal and dry conditions and maintains its soft, silvery foliage with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Adenanthos sericeus - Woolly Bush in Different Soil

Adenanthos sericeus performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Adenanthos sericeus good for hedging or screening?
A. Yes — it’s well-suited to informal hedging or screening, thanks to its upright habit and soft foliage.

Q. What makes Woolly Bush unique?
A. Its silver-grey foliage is soft and silky to touch, making it a standout both visually and tactilely.

Q. How tall and wide does it grow?
A. Typically grows 2 – 5 m tall and 1 – 3 m wide depending on conditions.

Q. How fast does it grow?
A. Moderate growth rate — around 30 – 60 cm per year.

Q. Does it attract birds?
A. Yes — the small red tubular flowers attract birds and native pollinators.

Q. Can it grow in coastal gardens?
A. Yes — Woolly Bush is coastal tolerant and grows well in sandy, free-draining soils.

Q. What light conditions does it prefer?
A. Thrives in full sun to light shade.

Q. Is it drought tolerant?
A. Yes — once established, it requires less frequent watering and is drought hardy.

Q. Is it low maintenance?
A. Absolutely — it needs minimal care, with light pruning if shaping is desired.