© Reiner Richter, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA) · iNaturalist
Brunonia spp.
blue pincushion
Overview
Brunonia spp. is a genus in the family Goodeniaceae with a single species, B. australis, the blue pincushion, native across much of Australia. It is a tufted herb, grown as a perennial or sometimes an annual, that forms a rosette of soft, greyish-green, hairy leaves 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) long at ground level. From the rosette rise slender, leafless stalks 6 to 20 inches (15 to 50 cm) tall, each topped by a dense, rounded head of small flowers, 0.6 to 1.2 inches (15 to 30 mm) across. The flowers are blue, occasionally white, and packed together so the head resembles a pincushion. Flowering is concentrated in spring and early summer. Brunonia spp. grows in open woodland, grassland, and heath on light, well-drained soils, and tolerates dry conditions once established. It can be short-lived, persisting longest in lean, sharply drained sites, and tends to decline in heavy or wet ground.
Native Range
Brunonia australis is native to Australia, occurring in every mainland state across open woodland, grassland, and heath from the coast to semi-arid inland regions.Suggested Uses
Grown in native, water-wise, and rockery plantings, in containers, and at the front of sunny borders for its blue pincushion heads. It suits gravel gardens and meadow-style mixes on light soils. Spacing of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) gives a massed display.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'8"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowering is concentrated in spring and early summer, roughly September to December in the Southern Hemisphere, and can extend after good rain. Each rounded head lasts well and is held clear of the foliage on a bare stalk. A scattered second flush may follow summer storms.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greyish greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Brunonia spp. grows in full sun on light, sharply drained sandy or gravelly soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Established plants tolerate drought and need little supplemental water. Heavy, wet soils cause the rosette to rot, so sharp drainage is the main requirement. Plants are often raised fresh from seed, as clumps can be short-lived. A light, low-phosphorus feed suits this Australian native if any feeding is given at all.Pruning
Spent flowering stalks can be removed at the base to tidy the plant and encourage further heads. Any dead or rotting leaves are cleared from the rosette. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons