Go Drumsticks! Go! Isopogon anemonifolius ‘Little Drumsticks’

Bird attracting, Coastal, Frost tolerant, Natives for containers, Small garden

Look at this shrub, can it fit anymore flowers on its tightly bunched stems? I think not… it is totally jam packed with intricate lemon yellow Drumstick flowers that last for a couple of months.

This is a compact selected form of Isopogon anemonifolius, a dwarf shrub that will only reach half a metre tall and around 70cm wide.

The plant in the image above has been in the ground for about 3 years, they are not a particularly quick growing species however when they begin to flower they make up for their slow growing progress. Isopogon ‘Little Drumsticks’ will retain a dense low growing habit without being pruned, it enjoys a moist well drained soil in full sun to part shade.

The lemon yellow flowers bud from Summer through Autumn and then explode in late winter and spring, they attract honeyeaters, thornbills, parrots and scrub wrens.

This low, dense shrub looks great mass planted or as a border in a more formal garden, it also can be used as an understory plant as Isopogon anemonifolius grows naturally under Eucalypt forest in a sandstone or gravelly soil. This is an excellent addition to the growing range of dwarf native shrubs being developed for Australian gardeners.

Posted

21/10/2018

Bird attracting, Coastal, Frost tolerant, Natives for containers, Small garden

Kath Gadd

Tags:

bee attracting, bird-attracting, compact habit, cut flowers, Honeyeater, Isopogon anemonifolius ‘Little Drumsticks’, large flower, Parrot, spring flowering, srub wren, thornbill, understory planting, wind tolerant, yellow flowers

Comments

7 responses to “Go Drumsticks! Go! Isopogon anemonifolius ‘Little Drumsticks’”

Kathryn Jones

06/01/2019

Howdy, just wondering if Little Drumsticks would grow ok in the subtropics. WE rae coastal though near Byron Bay. If yes, can you suggest where we can purchase some. Thanks so much.

Reply
1. Kath Gadd
  
  05/02/2019
  
  Hi Kathryn,
  
  I unfortunately I’d have to say no, I don’t think Isopogon ‘Little Drumsticks’ would be very hardy that far north, they really dislike humid summers and often struggle in Sydney and surrounds.
  
  Best Wishes,
  
  Kath
  
  Reply
2. David Mann
  
  04/08/2020
  
  It’s possible. It grows in the wild in the Hunter Valley. I’ve seen it in the bush surrounding Cessnock.
  
  Reply
Annette Streeter

19/04/2021

I want some “Little Drumsticks” for my garden.
I am working towards a custom-planter/containers business and have to design/plant/present at least a half-dozen different ones to qualify for a patron and/or startup.
Finding this has been very difficult.
Finding someone to sell potted plants or even seeds has been impossible.
All agencies I’ve found that name it have it listed as unavailable.
Please help.

Reply
1. Kath Gadd
  
  20/04/2021
  
  Hi Annette,
  
  Have you tried Sydney Wildflower Nursery? 95482818, I think they has some at the Collectors Plant Fair last weekend.
  
  Good Luck,
  
  Kath
  
  Reply
Janet Parker

01/05/2023

I live in Marrickville, in inner-west Sydney. Do you know if anyone has been successful growing isopogon anemonifolius around this location? I am contemplating trying one or two dwarf ones ‘Little Drumsticks’ planted in the ground either slightly raised or on the ground in a 10mm or so metal ring. What do you think? Also do you know if this cultivar is from east coast or west coast?
Kind regards Janet

Reply
Michael

03/09/2023

Little drumsticks is an east coast plant. The full size version grows wild around engadine and heathcote south of Sydney. They tend to like a bit of shade rather than full sun.

Reply