Spectacular, Ptilotus exaltatus 'Joey' (Mulla Mulla) is a compact, short-lived herbaceous perennial, usually grown as an annual, boasting masses of large, long-lasting, conical spikes of feathery flowers, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), from winter to summer. Flowers in summer if grown as an annual. Resembling bottlebrushes, the luminous blossoms start out silver and mature to neon pink near the tips. The foliage of fleshy, elliptic, silver-green leaves is evergreen. Easy to grow, Mulla Mulla attracts bees and butterflies to the garden. Heat and drought-tolerant plant, it is well-suited to gardens and mixed containers. Perfect for sunny rockeries, Mediterranean or desert gardens. A good cut flower.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm).
• Thrives in full sun in rich, sharply-drained soil. Avoid wet conditions. Fertilize every two weeks.
• Ptilotus exaltatus is perennial in hardiness zones 10-11 but treated as an annual in cooler areas.
• Propagate by root cuttings or seed.
• Ptilotus exaltatus occurs widely through the drier central areas of Australia in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory.