Cork Bush – 5 Seeds

Cork Bush (Mundulea sericea) is an attractive shrub or small tree which can grow to about 0.5 – 7.5m in height. It is usually single-stemmed with a bushy, much-branched crown. In spring this silvery bush is covered in masses of flowers, attracting birds and insects. The leaves are soft and delicate, the flowers large, beautiful and pea-like. The flowers are showy and pea-like, carried in terminal clusters in a rich violet, mauve and lilac or even white.

It is an excellent choice as an accent plant in the garden and grows well in containers. The tree is relatively slow-growing with a growth rate of 50-100 cm per year.  The growth rate increases as the tree ages. The root-system is not aggressive. Depending on the climate, the cork bush may either be deciduous or evergreen. It is hardy, drought-resistant, and requires moderate water and full sun.

Common names: cork bush, silver bush, Rhodesian silver-leaf (Eng.); kurkbos, blou-ertjieboom, olifantshout, visboontjie, visgif, mangaanbos (Afr.); omukeka (Herero); !gaeb (Nama/Damara); mosetla-thlou (Northern Sotho); omumbaganyana (Oshiwambo); umSindandlovana (Swazi); ntsandzandlopfu, maibana, mohato, mosikatse, mosita-thlou, moswaatlou (Tswana); mukunda-ndou (Venda); umHlalantethe, umSindandlovu (Zulu)

The leaves of the tree is used in traditional medicine as an emetic to treat poisoning in both people and dogs. Infusions of the root are used to treat infertility.

Growing Cork Bush

Indoor Sowing: Spring or Summer

Direct Sowing: Summer

• Scarify the seeds and then soak them in very hot water for 24 hours.
• Sow in spring or summer in a well-drained seedling mixture of equal parts sand and compost.
• Cover the seed with a 4-6 mm layer of seedling-mix and place the trays in a warm, semi-shaded position.
• Water regularly until germination, which can take about 6 weeks or longer..
• When the seedlings reach the two-leaf stage transplant them into nursery bags, pots or individual containers.
• The trees benefit from a seaweed fertilizer.