Isopogon species

(Drumsticks or Conebush)

Isopogon species are only found in Australia (endemic to Australia) and of the 35 species or so, the widest variety is found in Western Australia.

They vary from small to medium sized shrubs and their most distinctive feature is the showy flower heads, which vary in colour from creamy yellow and bright yellow to pale or deep pink. The flowers are followed by globular cones of woody fruit.

The foliage is very attractive too, usually with deeply divided leaves and often with red stems.

The eastern states species are most often found in cultivation as they are relatively easy to grow, as long as the soil is well-drained and they get plenty of sun. The Western Australian species aren't as easy to cultivate and are often short lived in the eastern states.

Isopogon species are grown from seed, but germination rates can vary considerably. Seedlings can emerge in two to three weeks, but sometimes they can take six to eight weeks to make an appearance.

There has been some experimentation with grafting of the Western Australian species onto the more resilient eastern states species, and growing various species from cuttings, but growing from seed is still the most common propagation method.

Isopogon anemonifolius (Broad-leaf Drumsticks)

This New South Wales species (pictured at top) is now widely cultivated as it has particularly beautiful light green foliage and bright yellow flower heads during spring. It can grow up to 2 metres tall but dwarf forms are now available, in particular, 'Little Drumsticks' and 'Woorikee 2000' PBR by Austraflora (pictured here - image courtesy of Austraflora)

Isopogon anethifolius (Narrow-leaved Drumsticks)

This species is also from New South Wales and is an excellent feature plant. It's not as widely planted as I. anemonifolius, but it certainly deserves to be. It's very hardy, and can also grow to up to 2 metres tall. The stems and young growth are often reddish, and it also has the familiar yellow flowers in spring and early summer.

Isopogon buxifolius

This shrub's leaves are very variable -in fact there are about four varieties recognised. It grows to about 1.5 metres tall. The pale pink flower heads are small and appear in late winter and spring. It's a Western Australian species.

Isopogon ceratophyllus (Horny Conebush)

This yellow-flowered species can be found in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania (islands of Bass Strait). It's a low growing, spreading plant that will usually only grow to about 60cm tall, but up to 1.2 metres in diameter. Although it is hardy it is slow growing. Image at right courtesy of Iain Harrison, Swinburne University of Technology TAFE

Isopogon dawsonii (Nepean Conebush)

This tall growing New South Wales species can grow to about 6 metres. It has large creamy white flower heads in late winter and spring, and soft deep green leaves. It has proven very hardy in a wide variety of soils and aspects.

Isopogon dubius (Pincushion Coneflower)

This prickly species from Western Australia has pink flowers in spring. It is commonly grown in the eastern states as it is one of the hardiest of the WA species, but good drainage is essential.

Isopogon fletcheri

This is a vulnerable species in the wild, and it is the only eastern states species with entire leaves. It grows to about 1.5 metres tall and produces creamy yellow flowers. It's only found naturally in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

Isopogon formosus (Rose Coneflower)

This very beautiful Western Australian species, pictured right, is very unreliable in the eastern states. It has large pink flowers in winter and spring.

Isopogon latifolius

Another Western Australian species that doesn't often do well in the eastern states. It grows to about 2 metres tall and has light green leaves. This is one species that has been grafted successfully onto eastern states species.

Isopogon petiolaris

This is a low spreading species with yellow flowers. It's from New South Wales and makes a useful groundcover.

Isopogon prostratus

This prostrate species is found in New South Wales and Victoria, and although it is fairly rare, it is commercially available. It also produces yellow flowers in late spring and summer.

There are many other species, but they are rarely seen in the eastern states or in cultivation. Many can be seen growing in King's Park, Perth.

Information sources:

Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M, 2003, Fifth Edition, Australian Native Plants, New Holland Publishers.
Images, except where stated, are courtesy of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, copyright.

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