About
A tender, bushy evergreen shrub, up to around 2m high, with warty stems and aromatic, rich green leaves. Pink buds open to waxy, star-shaped, scented white flowers in spring, and sometimes again autumn.
About the genus
A genus of around 50 species of flowering shrubs, native to Australia. They have smooth, green, linear-shaped aromatic foliage and produce small, waxy, white pink or mauve star-shaped flowers from late winter through to spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower, Foliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow indoors, or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter; in frost free areas may be planted out with winter protection. Grow in ericaceous compost in full light. During the growing season water freely and apply a low-phosphate liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter
PruningMay need restrictive pruning under glass, see pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by sowing pre-soaked seed at 10-13°C in spring; take semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer. Germination is erratic and rooting of cuttings is slow
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGeneraly disease-free