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shrub

Cushion Bush

Calocephalus brownii

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Cushion Bush (Calocephalus brownii) at Green Thumb Nursery

Cushion Bush

Cushion Bush

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  24 inches

Spread:  18 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  9b

Other Names:  syn. Leucophyta brownii

Description:

This shimmering shrub has a compact , branching habit and soft stems with finely textured silver foliage; a fine contrasting addition to mixed containers or baskets, or mass in the garden for a stunning effect

Ornamental Features

Cushion Bush has attractive silver evergreen foliage on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. The tiny scale-like leaves are highly ornamental and remain silver throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Cushion Bush is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cushion Bush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Cushion Bush will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Cushion Bush makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden  Container 
Applications
Foliage Color  Texture 
Ornamental Features