25/05/2026
Enchylaena tomentosa (Ruby Saltbush) is a hardy, low-growing perennial native to every mainland state of Australia - at home across coastal dunes, saline flats, inland plains and arid shrublands.
This species is a key member of our Nursery Grow List because of its ecological importance and subsequent ongoing demand from landscape architects, councils and environmental authorities.
It is highly drought and salt tolerant, stabilises exposed soils, and its long fruiting season provides an important food source for native birds and small mammals. The species is suited to terrestrial planting zones (>+0.2 m above NWL) on batters, upper banks and wetland surrounds.
2026 has been a particularly strong year for seed production. Our Seed Bank collected a high volume of seed, securing future supply of this in-demand species. Updated propagation methods in our Nursery have also delivered consistent germination within two days of sowing - a great result for a species we grow and supply at volume.
Identification: Ruby Saltbush forms a spreading, grey-green mound of slender, semi-woody branches, typically 0.3–0.6 m tall and up to a metre wide. Its semi-succulent, cylindrical leaves are softly tomentose and silvery, often blushing purple at the tips in exposed positions. Small greenish-yellow flowers appear from spring through autumn, followed by the showstopper - fleshy 4 to 6 mm berries that ripen from green through yellow and orange to a glossy bright red before drying nearly black on the plant.
