It grows best in full sun along the coast and partial shade in warmer locations with little to moderate water once established in a well-draining soil. An excellent choice for a coastal planting as it is both salt and wind tolerant though not tolerant of heavy clay or wet soils. The species is cold hardy to about 20-25° F although tip damage has been noted around 24° F in a central California nursery - this form may be slightly hardier. A beautiful plant for the garden and great for cut foliage.

Adenanthos sericeus is a large shrub or small tree from King George Sound on the southern coast of Western Australia, where it grows within splashing distance to the ocean. The name Adenanthos comes from the Greek 'aden' meaning "a gland" and 'anthos' meaning "a flower" and is in reference to the flowers' prominent nectaries. The specific epithet is the Latin word meaning "silky" in reference to this plants very soft foliage.

This plant was picked up at a retail nursery by our ever astute outside salesman Matthew Roberts, who noted it was different from the form of Adenanthos sericeus that we grow. It was a bit more compact and slightly greener and has flowers a lighter orange red. This plant, labeled Adenanthos sericeus ssp. sericeus was traced back to Monterey Bay Nursery and Luen Miller at Monterey Bay Nursery told me he received it from Paul Bonine of Xera Plants in Sherewood Oregon so to honor the originator of this cultivar and to keep it separate from our other form and named this attractive plant 'Sherwood Mist'. We still really liked our original more open silver-gray form so for a couple years grew both forms but this caused some confusion and we discontinued growing this plant in 2012. See additional information in our listing for Adenanthos sericeus. 

This information about Adenanthos sericeus 'Sherwood Mist' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.