Lomatia silaifolia
crinkle bush
Overview
Lomatia silaifolia is an erect, evergreen shrub 0.5-2 m (20-79 in) tall with one to several stems rising from a woody lignotuber. The dark green leaves are deeply divided and fern-like, 10-30 cm (4-12 in) long, with toothed segments that give the plant its common name. In summer it produces long, branched sprays of small, creamy white flowers held above the foliage, each with the curled, four-parted form typical of the protea family. The flowers are followed by woody, boat-shaped pods that split to release winged seeds. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and heath on sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils, often in the understorey and resprouting from the lignotuber after fire. The fern-like foliage carries the plant for much of the year, as the flowering period is brief, and the shrub has a fairly open, sparse habit rather than dense cover.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, occurring in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland in dry forest and heath.Suggested Uses
Used in native and bush gardens, woodland understorey plantings, and rockeries on sandy, well-drained soils. The fern-like foliage and flower sprays are also used in cut arrangements. Suited to low-phosphorus native borders and habitat plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'8" - 6'7"
Width/Spread1'8" - 4'11"
Bloom Information
Long, branched sprays of small creamy white flowers are produced above the foliage in summer, each flower with the curled, four-parted form of the protea family. The flowers draw bees, beetles, and other insects. Woody boat-shaped pods follow and split open to release winged seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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 partial shade on free-draining sandy or gravelly soils with an acidic pH of about 5.0-6.5. As a protea-family plant it is sensitive to phosphorus, so low-phosphorus native fertilisers are used. It is drought-tolerant once established and needs little supplemental water in suitable soils. Heavy, wet, or rich soils cause root problems and decline. It tolerates light to moderate frost and resprouts from the lignotuber after damage or fire. A light surface mulch keeps the shallow roots cool.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering keeps the shrub compact and can encourage denser branching. Old or leggy stems can be cut back hard, and the lignotuber resprouts reliably. Spent flower sprays and seed pods can be removed or left on the plant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall