About

This small evergreen shrub with tiny, glossy, rounded leaves which are highly aromatic, and white or pale lilac flowers 12mm width, with dark purple spots, in summer.

About the genus

Prostanthera are bushy evergreen shrubs with small, dark green, highly aromatic leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of cup-shaped white blue or purple flowers in late spring or early summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toAustralia (Tasmania)
FragranceFoliage

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered position
PruningPruning group 8; Prune after flowering; hard pruning may be detrimental
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly if grown in a conservatory or greenhouse
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility