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RE: Twiggy Heath Myrtle and Australian Native Tea Tree

in #baeckea6 years ago

It is a useful size for small gardens, remaining at a 2 m tree-like shape and only bushy at the base if trimmed for that purpose. This is a shrub not for distant viewing or bold effect but for near planting where the tiny white flowers can be seen, or a leaf bruised now and then for its spicy perfume.
At the Australian National Botanic Gardens examples can be seen in built-up soil mulched with bark chips, and shaded by tall trees. They survived drought years, though growth was sparse and dull, and recovered when regular watering became possible. Light shade is a definite advantage, protecting the top growth from drying out; no winter protection is needed.

Tip growth on the weeping branches is very free, with narrow, even leaves about 2 cm long. They are smooth and waxy, showing numerous transparent dots (oil glands) when magnified. The foliage of a healthy watered shrub shines, turning purple in winter, an advantage of the cold Canberra climate noted on many species in these Gardens.
The tiny, pure white flowers are a perfect shape, with five petals, and resemble Leptospermum (Tea Trees) to which the genus Baeckea is related. All face upwards on the stems and for their size are quite showy, especially on the purplish background, as one of the best flowering times is June to July. A flush of flowers can occur at any time from early February; in fact they are completely absent only during a short rest from late spring onwards.
The seed capsules are like tiny bells on short stalks and they also turn red in ripening, making this a shrub of changing tints. Capsules brought indoors release numerous fine seeds and these or summer cuttings are used in propagation.

Source: https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp3/baeckea-linifolia.html

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