Hypocalymma angustifolium - Fragrant White Myrtle - 30 Seeds

Myrtaceae - No shipment to Western Australia or Tasmania
 
Hypocalymma angustifolium, commonly known as White Myrtle is a small shrub related to the Tea Tree (Leptospermum) and the Bottlebrush (Callistemon).  At five years of age with annual pruning it will be a dense shrub 1m high with flexible, thin weeping branches, the flowers of this species always attract attention when the season begins in Spring.  They are set close on the stems in whorls of three of four in the axils of the leaves, and like them are very regular and neat. Opening first at the stem tips, flowers are cup shaped with stamens very prominent giving a fringed effect.  Colour ranges from white to cream to pink deepening to red with age so that there is always a range of soft carmine tints along the stems and leaves are up to 2.5cm long and linear.  They emerge from the greyish papery stems in opposite pairs either at right angles or reflexed and the effect is spiky, when bruised their perfume is sweet and spicy.
 
It is unusual and dainty when flowering for a few weeks in Spring and does best when found a position sheltered from strong winds.  It is frost hardy, but not a tough subject either in Winter storms or Summer heat.  Growth is dry and fragile and an exposed plant is liable to be blown sideways, becoming a poor shape, with bare wood.  In shelter, however with adequate water and with yearly pruning for bushy growth it is a delightful plant and prefers light well-drained lime free soil. 
 
30 premium quality seeds shipped on receipt of cleared funds.