Found only in the coastal areas around Sydney and west into the Blue Mountains, this plant in the Proteacea family has attractive yellow flowers held aloft in spring, followed by round grey cones which give it the common name of Drumsticks. It can grow in full sun but prefers a partly shaded situation in sandy well drained slightly acidic soil. It loves extra moisture when young provided it doesn't get waterlogged, and is quite drought hardy once established. It can grown up to 2 or 3m., is frost hardy, and may be lightly trimmed if needed for hedging or screens. This plant has a lignotuber and can resprout after fires, when it also releases its seeds. Seedlings usually flower in 3-4 years.

For more information from the Australian Plant Society of NSW click here

flower photo by mons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24302726