Family: Proteaceae
Common Name: Basket Flower

Related to Banksia, Grevillea and Hakea, this genus of 16 named species of varying sizes grows naturally in coastal and near coastal areas of Western Australia. The leaves of most species are covered with short gray hairs and are most attractive. Because of its appeal, the foliage is sought by florists. The often abundant flowers are tubular-shaped and vary in color from light amber to red. These shrubs are well suited to seaside gardens.

Species

A. argyreus is a prostrate species, having red flowers and small, silky, grayish-colored leaves.

A. barbigerus, hairy jugflower or gland flower, grows to about 1 m (3 ft). It has hairy gray-green foliage and bright red flowers.

A. cuneatus has flattish, silvery gray leaves and red flowers. A. cunninghatnii is a small shrub with narrow divided leaves and reddish brown flowers.

A. flavidiflorus, to 1.2 m (4 ft), is an open, spreading shrub, with very pleasing silky gray-green foliage and reddish flowers which bloom for most of the year. There is also a yellow form.

A. meisneri grows to 1.2 m (4 ft) high and 2 m (6 ft) wide. A leafy, spreading shrub, with divided mid-green leaves, it produces numerous tubular-shaped flowers in purple and cream.

A. obovatus is a small, spreading shrub, with almost oval-shaped leaves and bright red flowers in leafy sprays between late winter and spring. It grows to 1 m (3 ft).

A. pungens has sharp-tipped, divided leaves. The prostrate form grows in the shape of a dome to a height of 35 cm (14 in) and a spread of 3 m (10 ft). The showy, tubular-shaped, light pink or red flowers cover the plant in spring. It makes a beautiful groundcover.

A. sericeus, woolly bush, is a taller shrub, growing erect to 2-3 m (6-10 ft), with silky, grayish leaves and red-brown flowers. It does very well in sandy soil and is useful for seaside planting as it is salt-resistant. It can also make a very good windbreak. Few species are likely to be found outside their country of origin.

Cultivation

In their natural habitat these shrubs grow in very deep sandy soils, sometimes with clay or rock subsoil providing root anchorage. All species are sensitive to frost, although A. pungens can withstand light frost, and all require good drainage and some shelter when young. Growth is moderate. Propagate from cuttings taken in autumn. Root in a sharp sand and peat or vermiculite mix of 3:1 in non-humid conditions. Seed is difficult to collect and also difficult to germinate.

Climate

Zone 9 and above.