Aotus ericoides
common aotus
Overview
Aotus ericoides is an evergreen shrub in the pea family reaching 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall and 1.5-4 feet (0.5-1.2 m) wide, with a slender, erect, often wiry habit. The heath-like leaves are narrow, 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, alternate or in whorls of three, with margins rolled under so only the midrib shows beneath, and hairy when young. Pea-shaped flowers about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across line the upper stems, yellow to orange on the standard petal with a red to red-brown centre and keel, mostly in spring. Small hairy pods follow, each holding one or two seeds. Growth is moderate, with plants reaching flowering size in 2-3 years and living about 6-10 years. Roots fix nitrogen, as in other pea-family plants. The species needs sharp drainage and low-nutrient soil, is sensitive to phosphorus and to extended wet conditions, and is relatively short-lived.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria and Tasmania. Grows in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland on sandy, gravelly, nutrient-poor soils from near sea level to about 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in native and habitat gardens, on sandy banks, and in low-nutrient soils, spaced 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) apart. Nitrogen fixation suits it to revegetation and mixed shrub plantings. Sharp drainage and low fertility limit its use in heavy clay or irrigated beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 6'
Width/Spread1'6" - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in spring, August to November in its native range, with scattered bloom into early summer. The display lasts about 4-6 weeks at peak. Warm, open positions bring earlier flowering.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow-orange with red centreFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil low in nutrients. Water through the first season to establish; established plants tolerate dry periods and decline in soils that stay wet. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers damage the roots of pea-family plants, so only low-phosphorus native blends are used. Light tip-pruning after flowering keeps the shrub bushy and slows the open, wiry habit that develops with age. Few pests affect it, though scale insects occur on stressed plants.Pruning
Tip-prune after flowering, taking up to one-third of the new growth to maintain a compact form. Pruning into green wood reshoots, while cutting into bare old wood often does not. Light regular pruning slows the open habit of older plants.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons