A compact eastern shrub with finely divided leaves and yellow flower clusters that mature into woody, drumstick-like seed cones. A tough, tidy feature for sandstone gardens.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1.5 m H × 1.5 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Drumsticks
Isopogon anemonifolius is a slow-growing shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales and Victoria. It reaches around 1.5 m tall and 1.5 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Yellow flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Drumsticks
Drumsticks suits warm-temperate and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice, tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is suitable for bushfire-prone (BAL) gardens.
Soil & planting
Drumsticks does best in sandy, free-draining and poor soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Drumsticks performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. New plantings need closer moisture checks in hot or windy weather, with watering tapered once strong new growth appears.
Pruning & care
Prune Drumsticks after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. For most gardens, it is low maintenance.
Using Drumsticks in the garden
Drumsticks earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
Drumsticks sits most comfortably beside plants adapted to low water use and warm-temperate climate. A small cluster gives stronger visual impact than isolated plants scattered through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Drumsticks
Plant Sale lists Drumsticks as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Use the quote builder above to ask about current stock, sizes and pricing.
