Plectranthus parviflorus (Cockspur Flower) Australian Native Plant Profile
Description
Plectranthus parviflorus is a herbaceous shrub that grows to around 70cm. It has fleshy red-brown stems with toothed leaves and produces masses of flower spikes throughout the year with pale-blue to violet flowers.
Growing Conditions
Plectranthus parviflorus can handle a wide range of growing conditions from full sun to shade and almost any soil type. It’s often seen growing naturally in rocky areas in very shallow soil and frequently found near waterways. It’s a widespread plant occuring on the coast and ranges of NSW and into both QLD and VIC.
Habitat Value
Plectranthus Parviflorus is a prolific seeder and can form quite dense colonies giving cover to smaller animals and insects. It’s continuous flowering provides a food source for native bees and other insects year round.
Uses
Environmentally Plectranthus parviflorus is a great plant for establishing some native ground cover in an area. As it is very fast growing and produces a lot of seed. It’s excellent at covering a large area quickly and providing shelter for slower growing species to get established. It typically has a shallow root system and can grow in very little soil which makes it a great choice in rocky areas where it would be harder to establish larger shrubs and trees.
In the garden it makes an excellent rockery species, border plant or low shrub layer. It’s long flowering period makes it great for attracting beneficial insects year round. When it’s in full flower it is quite an ornamental species. Although due to its massive seed production and high germination rate you will likely need to remove it from areas in the garden you don’t want it growing.
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Further Reading
https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Plectranthus~parviflorus
https://finder.growingillawarranatives.org/plants/plant/393
