Family: Tremandraceae

Occurring naturally in moist, damp places throughout Australia, this genus of small shrubs produces masses of starry, mostly bright pink flowers with dark centers in spring and summer. Where frosts occur, grow in a cool, airy conservatory or greenhouse.

Species

T. ciliata, pink bells, from the southern states of Australia, is an erect shrub, wider than it is high, with small, rounded, soft leaves, arranged in whorls, and reddish pink flowers. A white-flowered form is in cultivation too.

T. denticulata, Sydney pink bell, has small leaves, arranged in whorls and bright pink flow­ers.

T. ericifolia grows to only 20 cm (8 in) high, with whorls of small, dark green leaves and bright magenta flowers.

T. juncea is a wiry bush less than 30 cm (12 in) high, with leafless stems and large, bright pink flowers.

T. pilosa, black-eyed Susan, produces bright mauve to magenta flowers. The light green leaves are variable.

T. shiressii has small, oval-shaped leaves and large, bell-shaped, bright pink flow­ers. It has an open growth habit, growing to 60 cm (24 in) high.

T. thymifolia produces a number of stems from ground level and has small, round, hairy leaves and bright, pinkish purple flowers. White-flowered forms are occa­sionally seen.

Cultivation

In the greenhouse, grow in pots of acid potting compost. Provide good light, but shade from direct sun. In the garden, they need well-drained, acid soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, with basal warmth.

Climate

Zone 9-10.