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Products > Diplolaena dampieri 'Feather Duster'   Diplolaena dampieri 'Feather Duster' - Southern Diplolaena Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.   [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Rutaceae (Citrus) Origin: Australia (Australasia) Flower Color: Orange Bloomtime: Winter/Spring Height: 3-5 feet Width: 3-5 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F Diplolaena dampieri 'Feather Duster' (Southern Diplolaena) - A small dense shrub to 3-5 feet tall by an equal spread with aromatic 1 1/2" long oblong leaves that are a dark olive green above. The underside of the leaves as well as the stems, new leaf and flower buds are densely tomentose with white hairs. In late winter to early spring appear the interesting and unique orange flowers that are displayed on the branch tips. The flowers of Diplolaena have a double row of pale green bracts which surrounds the flowers and gives this plant its name; 'diploos' for "double" and 'chlaina' for "cloak". From these bracts emerge 5 pale bract-like petals and fiery 1 inch long orange stamens. This shrub from Western Australia is showy and also quite neat and adaptable. Plant in full sun to open shade in a well-drained soil. Reportedly grew well along the coast in fairly dry conditions or with more regular water and is hardy to at least 25° F. Tolerates hard shearing and can be used as a small dense screen. This selection of this Western Australia native, which comes from the coastal dune areas north of Cape Leeuwin, was under evaluation by the UCSC Koala Blooms Program beginning in 2006. It seemed to be a good garden plant but had difficulty in summer heat away from the coast and the plant has since been dropped from the program.  The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Diplolaena dampieri 'Feather Duster'.     [MORE INFO]