The Feather Flowers
Verticordias are an outstanding Australian Plant used widely in the cut flower trade. Verticordia plumosa is a favourite variety with beautiful pink flowers.
Commonly called ‘Feather Flowers’ which refers to soft feathery nature of the flowers, they make good garden plants and are sought after as long lasting cut flowers
Now available in grafted forms which make many species more suitable for the home garden especially in the eastern states.
A fantastic group of colorful flowering plants the feathery flowers of the all species are long lasting and add a real splash of color to any garden.
Verticordia Species and Varieties
Coming in a range of colors from the yellow of Verticordia chrysantha through to red these plants are well worth trying in pots.
Verticordia chrysostachys (pictured right) is widely grown for its lovely yellow flowers.
- V. pritzelii has beautiful dark pink flowers .
- V. pennigera has lighter pink flowers.
- V. grandiflora has flowers of a golden color.
- V. grandis or ‘Scarlet feather flower’ has deep red flowers befitting its common name.
- V.monadelpha
- V. fastigata is a low growing variety commonly called the ‘Mouse Featherflower’.
- V. plumosa
- V. muelleriana
How to Grow Verticordia
In terms of growing conditions and care all Verticordia require an extremely well drained soil, it seems that varieties grafted onto rootstock of hardier relatives such as Darwinia citriodora are better suited for the home garden.
Flowering time is from spring to mid summer and they will add colour to any gatden.
Sun
All species grow best in full sun to a little light afternoon shade.
Soil
Best planted in a free draining soil, and the best time to plant is in spring so that the plant is in active growth and the root system can develop quickly.
Watering
Regular watering is recommended through the first summer. Commercial growers often use drip irrigation systems through summer. At the same time drainage must be good,
Fertiliser
A slow release Australian native plant fertiliser when first planting can be beneficial.
Be careful not to overfertilise as you will get good foliage, however flowering may not be as prolific.
Pruning Verticordia
Only prune Verticordia when thay are in acive growth, and then do not prune back ito bare wood, always leave a good amount of foliage on each stem.
Regular tip pruning when first planting will encouarge branching and therefore more flower stems.
Other Species Include:
V. drummondii, V. fragrans, V. etheliana, V. insignis, V. mitchelliana, V. monadelpha or ‘woolly feather flower’, V. nitens, V.nobilis, V. oculata and V. tumida are other species worth considering, all are rewarding, but remember the grafted varieties are a little more forgiving.