Gumnuts - Favourites: Calytrix tetragona

Favourites: Calytrix tetragona

3 November 2008 9:38 PM

Here's another favourite from Jeff Howes.

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Calytrix...from Greek words, calyx and thrix (a hair); referring to the hairs at the end of the calyx tips.
tetragona...four-angled, referring to the leaf

Common name: Fringe myrtle

I have been growing the pink flowering form of Caltryx tetragona for many years, in my garden in the northern Sydney suburb of Westleigh. It is a rounded shrub that grows to about 1.2 metres high with a similar spread and produces massed clusters of pink, star shaped flowers in spring. During the many times I have had my garden open under the Australian Open Garden Scheme, this is one of the native plants that visitors always stop to admire and ask “what is it”.

Calyrtix tetragona; pink flowered form

Photos: Jeff Howes

My plants are growing in a slightly raised bed of fine loam over a clay sub soil and receive little additional watering once established. As the pink form is reputed to grow naturally in western Victoria it is important that the plant has excellent drainage and does not become water logged. Caltryx tetragona is very easily grown, has a long life and is at their best in full sun or part shade. The only maintenance required is light pruning after flowering to keep it compact and prevent bare wood forming - this also helps promote better flowering next season.

When in flower this plant is a must have for every Australian garden.

If you have a plant that you particularly like and that might interest others, why not write a paragraph or two about it for inclusion here as a 'favourite'. If you have a photo to accompany it, so much the better but don't let lack of a photo put you off. If you're interested, drop me an email. Jeff Howes and Tony Cavanagh have sent several contributions that will appear in the near future - for which, many thanks!.

Previous Favourites

Pimelia physodes: Qualup Bell
Ricinocarpos pinifolius: Wedding bush
Senna artemisioides: Silver cassia
Philotheca myoporoides: Long-leaf wax flower
Epacris longiflora
Kangaroo Paw Hybrids
Alloxylon flammeum: Tree waratah
Jacksonia scoparia: Dogwood
Banksia media: Southern plains banksia
Correa 'Mannii'
Myoporum floribundum: Slender myoporum
Hibbertia diffusa: Wedge guinea flower
Callistemon 'Injune'

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