Family: Goodeniaceae

Named after explorer William Dampier, this genus comprises around 70 species of plants and shrubs, including many good rockery plants, most of which are native to Western Australia. The abundant fan-shaped, five-petalled flowers make a pretty display in spring and summer. The flowers range in colour from light blue to purple and the attractive light green to silvery gray foliage varies in shape and size.

Species

Few are available outside their native Australia.

D. diversifolia, from Western Australia, is a prostrate, perennial creeper or groundcover, with dense, short, leafy branches and masses of small, purplish blue flowers in spring and summer. This species is hardy and frost-resistant, and suckers readily.

D. linearis is a low-growing, suckering species, to 15 cm (6 in), with blueish purple flowers which bloom from winter through to summer.

D. purpurea, from eastern Australia, is an upright, hairy shrub, to 1 m (3 ft), with purple flowers, mostly borne at the top.

D. rosmarinifolia, mostly found in the mallee areas of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, forms spreading clumps and produces a brilliant display of bright blue flowers in spring.

D. stricta, a native of eastern Australia, is a prostrate, perennial species, with stems to 1 m (3 ft) long and a height of 30 cm (12 in). The pale blue flowers can be sparse and not as showy as those of many other species.

D. wellsiana, from Western Australia, is a very attractive, low-growing, spreading perennial, with spoon-shaped leaves and an abundance of mid-blue flowers, with yellow throats, in spring to early summer.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory. Use soil-based potting compost and provide maxi-mum light but shade from direct sun. Outdoors, the plants need well-drained, acid or neutral soil in sun. Propagate perennials by division in spring and shrubs by semi-ripe cut­tings in summer, both under glass.

Climate

Zone 10.