Step into a moonlight garden, and you’ll understand why Cushion Bush is so beloved. Also known as Silver Bush, this dwarf evergreen shrub has striking, metallic silver-white stems that form a dense, rounded, almost coral-like mound. The intricately tangled, wiry branchlets are covered in soft, woolly hairs, creating a remarkable silvery glow. The tiny, scale-like leaves hug the stems so closely they’re barely visible, giving the plant an otherworldly, textural quality. In late spring and summer (December to February in its native Australia), small, button-like flower heads in pale creamy yellow add a subtle, charming contrast.
Native to the southern coastline of Australia, where it grows on exposed coastal cliffs and dunes, Cushion Bush is perfectly suited to the Western Cape’s coastal and Mediterranean climate. It thrives in full sun—at least 6 hours of direct light for the best silver colour—and demands very well-drained, sandy or gritty soil. Excellent drainage is essential; it’s prone to root rot in waterlogged winter soils. Once established, it’s remarkably drought-tolerant, handles coastal winds and salt spray with exceptional ease, and is hardy to moderate frost. Reaching 0.5–1m tall and wide, it’s perfect for modern landscapes, Mediterranean gardens, rockeries, containers, or silver-themed gardens.
Key Features:
- Dense, wiry, silvery-white stems create a unique coral-like texture
- Exceptionally tolerant of salt spray, strong winds, and drought
- Water-wise and low-maintenance once established
- Ideal for coastal borders, rockeries, containers, or low silver hedges
Gardening Note: Plant in well-drained, sandy or gritty soil in full sun for the best silver colour. Water regularly until established; mature plants are highly drought-tolerant. Avoid overwatering or heavy, wet soils—wet feet are fatal. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape. No fertiliser needed. Protect from severe frost only in the coldest inland valleys.
