Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common Name: Wedding Bush

These attractive flowering shrubs are all natives of Australia. While several species are worth growing, many are difficult to cultivate. They are unlikely to be available outside their native country. It is a variable genus-in leaf structure, number of flower petals and the presence or otherwise, of male and female flowers on the same bush. The leaves vary greatly between species, sometimes even on the same shrub, but are generally dark green in colour. The large, waxy, mostly white, fragrant flowers generally appear in spring in the plant's natural habitat.

Species

R. bowmanii, pink wedding bush, grows up to 1 m (3 ft) high. The small leaves are quite stiff. The flowers are broad and star shaped and may be pale pink through to deep pink, with red stamens.

R. cyanescens, from Western Australia, is a rounded shrub, wider than it is high, with narrow leaves and white flowers.

R. glaucus, also from Western Australia, grows less than 1 m (3 ft) high, with small, glossy leaves and numerous, large, white flowers.

R. pinifolius, wedding hush, is the most commonly grown. A compact shrub, to 2 m (6 ft), it produces terminal clusters of lovely, white to cream, long-stalked flowers, with yellow stamens. The foliage is variable, but is generally soft and pine-like.

R. speciosus has shiny leaves, (lull on the undersides, and showy, white, starry flowers, in spring and early summer. It grows 1-3 m (3-10 ft) high.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory in pots of acid, well-drained, sandy, soil-based potting compost. Shade from direct, strong sun. Outdoors these shrubs need a well drained, acid, light, sandy soil, with protection from wind and some shade. Propagate from ripe seed in warmth-it does not germinate easily-or from cuttings in autumn, and rooted with bottom heat.

Climate

Zone 10.