Family: Myrtaceae

Many of these evergreen shrubs grow naturally all over Australia. At least 70 species are found in Australia, with a few occurring in other countries, such as New Caledonia. They have neat, wiry foliage and tiny leaves. Pretty white, pink or mauve flowers, resembling those of the tea-tree, are produced in spring and summer, and make very attractive cut flowers. Some of the species are useful for rock gardens or as potted plants. They come from a wide range of habitats and climatic zones.

Species

Not all are available in the UK.

B. behrii grows to a height of 2 m (6 ft). It has fine foliage, with small white flowers in summer.

B. crenatifolia, fern-leaf heath myrtle, is a small, spreading shrub, with. dense, fern-like leaves and white flowers luring summer.

B. linifolia, flax-leaf heath mjatle, is a native of eastern Australia. This bea itiful, pendulous shrub has narrow, thread-like foliage and masses of starry white flowers in early spring. It will grow to 2 m (6 ft).

B. preissiana is easy to grow and produces delicate sprays of white blooms in spring which make excellent cut flowers.

B. ramosissima, rosy heath myrtle, is a dainty groundcover or low shrub to 30 cm (12 in) high. It has delightful pink flowers in spring and summer.

B. virgata, twiggy heath myrtle, is the most common species. It is a bushy, erect shrub which grows to 2.5 m (8 ft). Useful as a screen, it produces an abundance of pretty white flowers in summer.

Cultivation

In frost-prone areas, grow in a cool greenhouse in pots of acid, soil-based potting compost, in good light but with shade from strong sun. Outdoors, these plants prefer partial shade, but will tolerate full sun. Moist, well-drained soil is ideal, though they can withstand some drought, frost and poor soil conditions. B. linifolia and B. virgata can even tolerate moderately bad drainage. Prune bushes lightly after flowering. Like many Australian plants, they do not like their roots being disturbed, so it is wise not to transplant once they have reached an advanced level.

Climate

Zone 9.