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Photo - Linda Ross
Rock Thrytomene Thryptomene saxicola
Thryptomene takes its name from the Greek meaning ‘coy, prudish or made small’ which is a perfect reference to both its foliage and flowers. Saxicola refers
to the rocky soil in which is grew prolifically before being bred for domestic gardens. This unassuming native shines at this time of year when its
arching branches are smothered in small pink or white flowers. The flowers are used in floristry and the plant benefits from the heavy pruning that
this entails.
The modest bush sits at about 1.5m tall, and the neat foliage is aromatic. The young stems have a reddish tint that is worth having in your eye line. Thryptomene
don’t like frost and prefer to be planted in free-draining soil in full sun. Use an azalea and camellia potting mix to mimic the rocky, slightly acid
soils it originated in.
Text: Ally Jackson