Family: Myrtaceae

Related to Melaleuca, this genus of 17 evergreen shrubs is native to Western Australia. Those occurring naturally in the dry, sandy inland areas of that state do not adapt easily to garden conditions. When well grown, they make pretty ornamentals and are useful for attracting birds to the garden. All are lovely shrubs, with delicate, unusually patterned foliage. The brushes appear at the ends of the branches in summer and come in a range of colours from yellow, orange, red and crimson to mauve and purple.

Species

B. decussata has thick branches, stiff, oval-shaped leaves, and produces spiky scarlet brushes in autumn. It grows to 2.5 m (8 ft).

B. orbifolia, heath bottlebrush, produces superb red and green brushes at the end of the stems in summer and autumn. It reaches about 1.5 m (5 ft) in height.

B. purpurea is a smaller species, growing to 1 m (3 ft). It has short, stiff, grayish blue foliage and small, rounded brushes of mauve flowers, with purple stamens, in the spring and summer.

B. sparsa, gravel bottlebrush, is the best known of the species. It grows to 2 m (6 ft) and has small, oval, light green leaves and large clusters of soft orange-red flowers. It prefers a semi-shaded position and a temperate climate, and will tolerate damp.

B. squarrosa, sand heath bottlebrush, is difficult to cultivate. It grows to 3 m (10 ft) and produces orange-red or buff flowers from spring to autumn.

Cultivation

In frosty climates, grow in pots in a cool greenhouse, using well-drained, soil-based, lime-free or acid compost, and provide maximum light. Outdoors, except for B. sparsa, these shrubs do best in a well-drained, sunny position, with a dry, acidic, sandy soil. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings or from seed. Humid conditions may kill or stunt seedlings, causing them to take years to mature, and in colder climates it is preferable to strike the cuttings under glass.

Climate

Beaufortia can be grown outdoors in zone 9.