A new native plant variety developed by The University of Queensland (UQ)’s Dr Dion Harrison, in partnership with the Centre for Native Floriculture, has been launched to commemorate this year’s Australia Day celebrations.

‘Gold Dust’ (Ozothamnus diotophyllus) is the latest native plant released as part of the “Aussie Cottage Collection” of ornamental plants marketed by Aussie Colours, a company established in 2007 by UniQuest.
 
Aussie Colours has the exclusive worldwide licence for the novel varieties that have been developed by the Centre.

Gold Dust is an abundantly flowering Australian shrub with striking yellow flowers and green-grey foliage. With the ability to flower all year round, Gold Dust is suited to both garden beds and patio pots. Gold Dust can handle hot and dry conditions, as well as a moderate amount of humidity, making it an ideal low watering sustainable plant.

Dr Harrison said the Gold Dust rice flower was launched to highlight not only the hardiness of the Australian spirit on Australia Day this year, but also that Australian native plants can be used to bring colour to gardens in all seasons.

“We a very excited to have Gold Dust ready for gardening enthusiasts who a looking to spend the Australia Day holiday adding colour and variation to their gardens,” Dr Harrison said.

“It’s a nice way for us as researchers, too, to see our efforts bring pleasure to fellow Australians and encourage more landscapes to include these beautiful native plants.”

Gold Dust will be available nationwide at a range of retail outlets leading up to Australia Day, including independent garden centres, Masters in NSW and Bunnings and Big W in Queensland.

Aussie Colours now has 10 products in its “Aussie Cottage Collection”, which is designed to give gardeners and landscapers an Australian alternative to the traditional annuals developed in and for Europe.  Aussie Colours plants are brightly coloured, drought-resistant and flower all year round, unlike many traditional colourful plants that flower for six to eight weeks.

Aussie Colours has launched one product in the USA and has many more under trial for possible release over the next few years.

UniQuest Managing Director, David Henderson, said the Gold Dust launch was another success to add to the Aussie Colours commercialisation story.

“People all around Australia and the world are now enjoying the sight and hardiness of plants developed and marketed by Aussie Colours. The company’s own sustainability over the past five years, despite the GFC, also demonstrates the range of industries to which University of Queensland research and expertise is contributing on a globally reaching scale,” Mr Henderson said.

Aussie Colours also plans to launch a new range of native Hibiscus later this year in time for spring and summer planting.

Media enquiries: Leanne Wyvill +61 7 3365 4037, 0409 767 199 or l.wyvill@uniquest.com.au
Commercial enquiries: Cameron Turner +61 7 3365 4037, 0437 448 773 or c.turner@uniquest.com.au