Product details
Product Overview
Lasiopetalum behrii Pink Velvet Bush is an erect Australian native shrub known as the Pink Velvet Bush. Its narrow lance-shaped leaves are glossy on top and densely rust-hairy beneath. From winter into spring it bursts into clusters of white to pink flowers with reddish brown petals, making it a striking addition to native gardens, masses, or low screens.
Growth:
Grows to about 1-1.5 m high with a similar spread. Habit is upright and bushy, not prostrate; establishes a dense rounded shrub form.
Light Requirements:
Prefers full sun to part shade. Flowering and foliage are best in full sun; in shade, growth is slower and flowering less profuse.
Soil Requirements:
Does best in well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay loam soils. Tolerates poorer soils and alkaline conditions. Avoid waterlogged soil.
Water Requirements:
Water regularly while establishing. Once established, tolerant of dry periods; occasional deep watering helps during extended heat or drought.
Frost Tolerance:
Moderately frost tolerant. Can handle light to moderate frost when mature; new growth may be damaged by severe cold.
Drought Tolerance:
High drought tolerance, typical of mallee and semi-arid native species. Performs well with minimal watering once established.
Flowering Information:
Flowers appear from winter through spring (usually July to October), in small clusters of 2-8. The calyx is white to pink externally, often with a silky hairy texture; inner petals reddish brown.
Spacing Requirements:
Allow about 1-2.5 m between plants to give room for the bush to develop its natural spread; can be planted closer for denser screening.
Fertiliser Requirements:
Low nutrient needs. A light spring feeding with a slow-release native plant fertiliser helps if growth is slow. Avoid heavy, high-phosphorus fertilisers.
Care and Maintenance:
Prune lightly after flowering to keep shape and encourage new shoots. Remove older, woody stems as needed to maintain healthy form and airflow. Mulch around base to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Good for containers, borders, and mass planting.
