Ptilotus exaltatus

Sunset

Ptilotus exaltatus villosus ‘Platinum Wallaby’, photo courtesy of Proven Winners

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Zones 13-17, 19-24

Full

Moderate, Minimal

MULLA MULLA
Amaranthaceae
Annuals, Perennials

PTILOTUS

With abundant upright flower heads shaped like feather dusters, Ptilotus bred for the garden are irresistible Australian natives that come in pastel colors. They grow about 18 in. high, with reddish stems that support narrow, pointed, upright leaves. Perennial kinds are often used as annuals.

Ptilotus exaltatus

Oddly, this species is divided into perennial and annual forms. Both of thefollowing have silvery green foliage. Plants in the Joey strain are annuals that prefer acidic soil, grow to 12–15 in. high and 12 in. wide, and bear pink flowers to 4 in. long. This is a seed-grown strain, so the flower colors vary a bit. ‘Platinum Wallaby’ is part of a perennial subspecies, P. e. villosus, that naturally occurs in alkaline soil. It has blue-pink flowers that arelonger (to 6 in.) and longer-lasting than those in the Joeystrain, and plants can grow upto 18 in. high and wide. It isgrown from tissue culture, so allplants are virtually identical.