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Philotheca myoporoides 'Profusion' (Long-leaf wax flower) - This hardy, compact shrub grows to 4-5 feet tall by as wide with warty stems holding narrow oblong sessile (lacking a petiole) green leaves that are aromatic when crushed. The fragrance is somewhat reminiscent of the apple fragrance when the plant is brushed against or if the leaves are crushed. In late winter and early spring, pink buds open to a profusion of white flowers that look much like the flowers of citrus, which it is in the same family of, the Rutaceae.
Plant in dappled shade, but will also do well in full sun in coastal gardens. It tolerates frost and extended dry periods and appreciates well-drained soils, especially if regularly irrigated. Though not fond of alkaline conditions and prone to chlorosis in these conditions, plants react well to supplemental chelated iron and slow release fertilizers - consider using fertilizers developed for citrus. This plant is great for cut flowers and cut foliage and responds well to being lightly pruned or sheared back hard. It is useful in brightening up a spot in dappled shade.
The species is endemic to south-eastern Australia from Queensland south to New South Wales to Victoria. It was first described as Erisotemon myoporoides in 1824 by Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle but was transferred to the genus Philotheca in 1998 based on a revision of the genus by Mike Bayly. The name Eriostemon came from the Greek words 'erion' meaning "wool" and 'stemon' meaning "stamen" because the stamen filaments are covered with soft woolly hairs. The name Philotheca comes from the Greek words 'philos' meaing "loved", "beloved" or "dear" and 'theke' meaing a "receptacle" or "box" referring to the seed capsule. The specific epithet means resembling plants in the genus Myoporum. This species was one of the more common native plants used in Australian gardens dating back to the early 1900s because of its hardiness to a wide range of conditions and was first introduced into cultivation in England in 1924. We first started growing this plant in 2001 after getting it from Protea grower Dennis Perry.
The information displayed on this page about Philotheca myoporoides 'Profusion' is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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