Pink Mulla Mulla 'Joey'
Ptilotus exaltatus 'Joey'
4-inch pot
 
This tender perennial often grown as an annual. It belongs to the Amaranth family. It is said to be similar in appearance to Celosia which is a member of the same family. P. exaltatus 'Joey' loves it hot and dry. It doesn't like being over-watered or sitting with wet feet. It is ideal for a low-water garden or xeriscape.
 
Pink mulla-mulla is native to the dry, arid plains of Australia, and is one of the biggest and rarest of over one-hundred species within the overarching ptulotus genus.
 
P. exaltatus 'Joey' has fat, feathery, bottlebrush-shaped flowers which are a silvery pink in colour. Its flowers are long lasting, and can be used as cut or dried flowers in arrangements. The flowers appear soft and fuzzy, but are actually hard and bristly to the touch. The foliage is silvery-green, thick, and fleshy.
 
The genus name Ptilotus is from the Greek word 'ptilotos' meaning winged or feathered, referring to the flowers appearing to be like feathers or down.
 
Annual
Grows 1-3 ft. tall
Full sun
Requires well-drained soil
Blooms from spring to fall