FLASH SALES: discover new special offers every week!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Lomatia silaifolia

Lomatia silaifolia
Crinkle Bush, Parsley Fern

5,0/5
1 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews
0 reviews

Plant received in good condition, healthy after a winter.

Jacques, 13/03/2024

Leave a review →

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

An original and decorative evergreen Australian shrub. It is called the curly bush due to its highly cut foliage that somewhat resembles parsley. In summer, it produces long flowering panicles, with thread-like petals, reminiscent of those of Grevillea. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade in warm regions, in an acidic, well-draining soil that remains moist in summer. Well adapted to our Atlantic coast, it can also be grown in a pot in colder regions. Hardiness: -6/-8 °C in a sheltered location.
Flower size
25 cm
Height at maturity
1.75 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
plantfit-full

Does this plant fit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time July to August
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Lomatia silaifolia, the curly bush, is a peculiar and ornamental shrub. Firstly, for its strongly pinnate foliage resembling that of a fern or giant parsley, and then for its generous creamy-white summer flowers. Native to eastern Australia, will appreciate a mild winter as well as hot and relatively rainy summers. Capable of withstanding short frosts from -6 to -8°C (21.2 to 17.6 °F), it is easier to cultivate than its relative the protea and will be happy in a well-drained soil, which is slightly moist and acidic to neutral. This exotic shrub deserves to be showcased in the garden or on a patio.

 

Lomatia silaifolia, formerly known as Embothrium silaifolia, belongs to the Proteaceae family. This botanical species is present in a large part of eastern Australia, from the eastern Australian Cordillera to the centre of New South Wales. In nature, it is found in sparsely forested areas in the company of, for example, peppermint and eucalyptus, on acidic soils. The parsley-leaved Lomatia is evergreen, it retains its leaves all year round. Its habit is bushy, but erect, and its growth is quite rapid. This beautiful shrub will reach an average height of 1.75m (5 ft 8 in) with a spread of 1.50m  when grown in the ground, a little less if grown in a pot. In July-August, the unique flowers occurs in clusters that are 30 to 45 cm (11.8 to 17.7 in) long at the tips of the stems. These flowers, composed of 4 thin petals, are almost white. The flowers give way to elongated fruits, leathery and dark brown when ripe, containing flat and winged seeds. The young leaves are alternate, 35 to 40 cm (13.8 to 15.7 in) long, divided into leaflets which are then also subdivided into thin leaflets, somewhat like fern fronds. All these leaf segments are glaucous green on the upper side, paler on the underside.

 

In the garden, Lomatia silaifolia deserves a prime location, at the forefront of a flowering hedge, a a specimen on the edge of the lawn, at the corner of a large bed, as a focal point at the end of a pathway or near the patio, sheltered from the wind. This shrub grows well in pots, which can be placed near the entrance of the house or on the patio. It can be associated with numerous acid-loving plants (Kalmia, Pieris, Rhododendrons and Camellias), or in neutral soil with hydrangeas that appreciate the same sunny conditions. It will prefer a sheltered coastal garden, spared from severe frosts, ideally in a mild oceanic climate with long summers. This plant rarely flowers under English climates.

Lomatia silaifolia in pictures

Lomatia silaifolia (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.75 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time July to August
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 25 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Lomatia

Species

silaifolia

Family

Proteaceae

Other common names

Crinkle Bush, Parsley Fern

Origin

Australia

Product reference166791

Other Shrubs A to Z

14
From €24.50 2L/3L pot

Available in 4 sizes

152
From €3.30 Bare root
2
€41.50 4L/5L pot
87
From €4.70 8/9 cm pot

Available in 3 sizes

5
From €16.50 2L/3L pot
4
€55.00 4L/5L pot

Available in 2 sizes

3
From €20.50 2L/3L pot
2
From €39.50 4L/5L pot
8
From €16.50 3L/4L pot
9
€45.00 4L/5L pot

Planting and care

Plant Lomatia silaifolia in spring, or in autumn in very mild climates, in a sunny or partially shaded location, sheltered from icy winds. This plant requires a well-drained, light, rather fertile, humus-rich and sandy soil, with a tendency towards acidity (5.5<pH<6.5). A mixture of leaf compost, a little ericaceous soil or bark mulch and coarse river sand seems appropriate. This plant needs water throughout its growth period, but it tolerates drier periods for the rest of the year. Proteaceae are sensitive to excess phosphates and nitrates, so it is best to avoid giving too much fertilizer, or if not any at all. A small amount of blood, fish and bone fertiliser applied to the base of the plant in spring is usually sufficient. While adult plants can tolerate brief frosts of around -6/-8°C (21.2/17.6 °F) in dry soil, young plants should be protected from frost during their first few years, either in a frost-free location in cooler climates or under a cover in regions with mild winters.

For container planting, it is important to choose large containers with drainage holes at the bottom, measuring 60 cm (23.6 in) in diameter or width and depth, and to water frequently throughout the growing season.  Reduce watering in winter, without allowing the soil to dry out.  Avoid hot exposed positions such as a balcony or south-facing terrace.  Plant in a very well-draining, acidic mix, composed of leaf compost, ericaceous soil and sand in equal parts. Apply a layer of well-decomposed compost in autumn at the base of the shrub, as well as leaf compost. Water with rainwater. 

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Container, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Moist soil, very well-drained

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs protection
5/5
No reviews
No reviews
No reviews
No reviews

Evergreen shrubs

4
From €45.00 4L/5L pot
3
From €33.50 4L/5L pot
7
€22.50 4L/5L pot
17
From €5.50 Seeds
2
€24.50 4L/5L pot
4
From €33.50 4L/5L pot
5
From €4.90 12cm pot
2
€27.50 2L/3L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Out of stock
€29.50 3L/4L pot

Haven't found what you were looking for?

We only deliver seed and bulb products to your country. If you add other products to your basket, they cannot be shipped.