Potted: Rock Thrytomene

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