Isopogon formosus - coneflower

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$4.95

Coneflowers look like they landed from outer space, but they're really native to south-west Australia. 'Formosus' means good-looking, and this one is a handsome brute, with catherine-wheel flowers from midwinter into summer, depending on the location, and ferny foliage all year round.

This grevillea and protea relative is a little tricky to satisfy; in its WA home it can be found in rocky and swampy sites, but in garden situations it thrives in sandy well-draining soils.

It doesn't like to get too cold or too dry or too humid for too long (and we can't blame it, neither do we) but if you can grow grevilleas successfully this one should grow happily alongside.

Flower images: Vahe Martinrosyan ; bee images Kate Brown cropped to size.

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Description

Isopogon formosus conflower, drumsticks
APPEARANCE : Native shrub with very divided fern-like leaves, and stems of vibrant pink-purple globular flowers with long slender radiating petals produced from midwinter to midsummer depending on the location.
ORIGIN : Native to south west WA
USE FOR :Native and wildlife gardens, sandy soils, southern and dry climates
CLIMATE : Can tolerate light frost and short dry spells but not hard or prolonged frost, or lengthy dry spells. Grows in Canberra. Does not like humidity.
PLANTING : Well drained sandy or rocky soil with a neutral to acid pH. Grows best in full sun.
CARE : Water during the first 8-12 weeks until the plant is established. Light pruning after flowering will promote bushy growth and shape the plant. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser when buds form - these isopogons are phosphorus-sensitive so the P ratio of the fertiliser needs to be under 3%.
HEIGHT & WIDTH: 1.5 - 2 m H x 1.5 - 2 m W.
YOUR PLANTS : These are tubestock plants, healthy young plants with new roots that will establish quickly in your garden. The pot size is 80mm high and 42 mm wide.
You can see an example in the image gallery.
What is tubestock?