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Agonis flexuosa 'Burgundy' (Burgundy Peppermint Willow) - A selection of the West Australian willow myrtle that is often listed as a dwarf form but older plants in Australia are noted as reaching to better than 25 feet tall by around 15 feet wide with the graceful weeping habit and aromatic leaves typical of the species except with this selection has new foliage that has a strong burgundy color. Older foliage eventually fades to green but not before new red flushes are produced and in mid-spring appear the small white flowers at the branch tips.
Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil with regular to occasional watering - moderately drought tolerant along the coast once established but is more lush with occasional deep irrigation. Frost hardiness, although not well documented, seems to be similar to the species with some tip damage possible below 28° F and stem damage at temperatures between 20-25° F.
There are several interpretations for how the name Agonis is derived. One interpretation is that the genus is named from the Greek word 'agonos' which is a combination of 'a' for "not" and 'gonia' for "angle" meaning "without angles" in reference to soft drooping branches of some species while others believe it is from the Greek word 'agon' meaning "a gathering" or "a cluster" in reference to the arrangement of the fruit. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word 'flexuos' meaning "bending" or "curvy" in reference to the way the branches arch gracefully.
It has been increasingly hard to get the dark cultivars of Agonis flexuosa such as 'Jervis Bay Afterdark', 'Jedda's Dream' and 'Aftershock' and most who have planted them have also noted how open and sparse they can get. This plant is faster growing and more reliable than these other darker cultivars and since it responds well to pruning, it can be pruned or sheared to promote the showy new growth and can even be used as a large hedge. We have continuously grown this selection since 2016.
This information about Agonis flexuosa 'Burgundy' displayed on this web page is based on research we have conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations we have made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how our crops have performed in containers in the nursery field. Where appropriate, we will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.
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