Prostanthera lasianthos - Victorian Christmas Bush - 20 Seeds
Prostanthera lasianthos, commonly known as the Victorian Christmas Bush or Mountain Lilac is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing to approximately 5m with a spread of up to 3m, although in protected, moist Alpine locations it can grow as tall as 10m. It is the largest of the native Mint Bushes and has the widest distribution, occurring naturally from Queensland to Tasmania and eastern South Australia from coastal locations to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range.
Foliage is attractive in plants growing freely and can be bright-yellow green to darker green, hairless, sometimes shiny, and without blemish. Mountain forms and plants in full sun have slightly leathery foliage. Leaves are up to 15cm long and from 13mm to over 19mm wide, larger than in other Prostanthera species. They vary in denseness, taper finely, and the margins are generally toothed, sometimes also waved or curved.
Foliage has an aromatic menthol fragrance, the Prostanthera family generically are commonly known as Mint Bushes.
Masses of thin, soft flowers in wide-angled tapering sprays are the main attraction that are around 2cm long and are funnel-shaped with spreading lower lobes. In the throat of the flower are tiny purple blotches and larger orange ones. In some the flowers are white but others, less commonly, appear pale pink or mauve from a distance.
Prostanthera lasianthos is unaffected by frost in Canberra and will grow in light or stiff soil in sun or shade, but constant wind should be avoided. It is excellent for hiding a fence, as a tall hedge or by a red brick wall. With a good mulch and some watering it would thrive in city gardens, giving flower when most purple Mint Bushes have finished.
Propagation is by seeds or cuttings
20 premium quality seeds. shipped on receipt of cleared funds.