Silver Pink Mulla Mulla
Ptilotus exaltatus 'Silver Pink'
Plant Height: 18 inches
Flower Height: 24 inches
Spacing: 9 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 8b
Description:
A short lived perennial treated largely as an annual; interesting conical flower spikes of silvery pink persist all season long; a beautiful, fine container plant or impressive when massed in the garden; tolerant of heat and dry conditions
Ornamental Features
Silver Pink Mulla Mulla features showy spikes of shell pink flowers with silver overtones at the ends of the stems from early spring to late fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its small tomentose oval leaves remain light green in color throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Silver Pink Mulla Mulla is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Silver Pink Mulla Mulla is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- General Garden Use
- Container Planting
- Hanging Baskets
Planting & Growing
Silver Pink Mulla Mulla will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 9 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
Silver Pink Mulla Mulla is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.