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[2nd Image]
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Myoporaceae (Now Scrophulariaceae) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 20-30 feet |
| Width: 10-20 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' (Coast Myoporum) - A fast growing evergreen large shrub or tree that quickly forms a screen that can reach 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide and holds leaves all the way to its base. Small white flowers with purple markings bloom in clusters in the summer, followed by reddish-purple fruits. Plant in full sun for the best results - tolerates light shade but grows less dense. It is drought tolerant and hardy to about 25 degrees F. This has long been a great choice for beachside plantings and responded well to pruning and shaping. In 2006 in southern California this plant came under attack by thrips that disfigure the new foliage. The pest was first observed in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara Counties and more recently (2008) it has been noted in many bay area gardens. It originally was thought to be in the genus Teucothrips but now has been identified as a new species, Klambothrips myopori, a species from coastal Eastern Australia. So far these thrips have been found on Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' and Myoporum 'Pacificum' (AKA 'South Coast'). We saw this pest on Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' in our nursery and on Myoporum 'Pacificum' in surrounding landscape plantings. We have never grown Myoporum 'Pacificum' and this pest has prompted us to discontinue growing Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii'. We have not seen this pest on Myoporum laetum 'Compacta', Myoporum 'Putah Creek' or Myoporum parvifolium and continue to grow these plants. Myoporum laetum 'Compacta' would be a suitable replacement for Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' if the desired effect is to have a dense screen up to 15 feet tall. For larger hedges we suggest the possible replacement of Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' with Pittosporum or Ficus. Myoporum 'Putah Creek' would be a good replacement for Myoporum 'Pacificum'. The second image on our website shows damage from this insect. More information can also be found on our Myoporum Thrips Page.
This information about Myoporum laetum 'Carsonii' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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