What is a Blue Bush?

A blue bush is a shrub-like perennial plant that belongs to the chenopodiaceae family of plants. Shrubs are commonly used for bordering purposes, but they can also serve as a privacy barrier. This plant is native to Australia, but it can also be found in parts of Africa. The blue bush plant has unusual and colorful foliage. It generally is silver gray to light blue, depending on the individual plant, though it can also be violet.

The foliage or leaves of this plant have a distinct fuzzy texture. They are light blue and oblong with a pointed tip. There is a deep vein on the center of the leaflet, with smaller veins that surround it. The leaves and blooms are supported by tiny tan to dark brown stems.

A blue bush plant can also be referred to as a California lilac bush. This is because of the colorful violet blooms this plant produces in the early spring. Tiny individual flowers are gathered together in a cluster to produce what appears to be one large tube-shaped flower. When these flowers are in full bloom, it is virtually impossible to see any other part of the plant. Blue bush blooms have a light, pleasing fragrance.

Although the blue bush is a shrub, it can grow to reach 36 inches (around 80 cm) in height. It can also grow to fill in a space equally as wide. This plant cannot survive in temperatures that go below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (around -1 C), so it must be grown in a warm climate. The blue bush should be placed in an area that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight everyday. This plant can be placed in partial shade but it will not produce as many blooms as it would in full sunlight.

Before planting a blue bush, the soil should be tested. This plant likes alkaline soil and if the soil balance is not suitable, fertilizers can be added to enrich it. The blue bush is drought resistant and does not need an excessive amount of water to be healthy. It should, however, be planted on a slight hill so water can drain away from the delicate root system. Too much watering can considerably damage the roots or even kill the plant.