This is a low growing perennial, with bright yellow flowers in spring Conostylis juncea is a clump forming plant. An excellent choice for a rock garden or a crevice garden.
This is a species that grows well in coastal conditions, the evergreen foliage is grass like and low maintenance.
Spreading by underground rhizomes it will cover around 20 – 30 cm over time and reach a height of 20 -30 cm.
Flowers are held down in the foliage, however the bright yellow flowers are highly visible in spring so excellent colour during at this tome of the year.
How to Grow Conostylis juncea
As this is plant that grows naturally in the sandy coastal soils in open heath it twill thrive in well drained soils as well as full sun to part shade.
- Prepare the soil before planting, in heavy soils add some extra drainage material, or build up the garden bed to improve drainage.
- Choose a position with good morning sun, Dwarf Cotton Heads will grow in part shade however flower more freely with good sun.
- Plant at the same depth the plant was in the container
- Water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser to aid root development
- Lightly mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run and suppress weeds.
Other Conostylis species include:
- C. aculeta – Also known as ‘Prickly Cottonhead’
- C. setigera – Also known as ‘Bristly Cottonhead’ or ‘Lemon Lights’
- C. bealiana – Yellow trumpet like flowers
- C. candicans
- C. argentea – Silver Conostylis with creamy white flowers.
- C. vaginata – Sheath Conostylis
- C. seorsiflora subsp. seorsiflora, a low growing mat forming species.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Conostylis juncea
- Common Name – Dwarf Cotton Heads
- Height – To around 30 cm
- Spread – To around 30cm
- Flowers – Yellow bracts
- Foliage – Strap like mid green
- Position – Full sun to Part Shade
- Drought Tolerant – Yes
- Frost Tolerant – Light frost only.