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Dodonaea microzyga (Brilliant Hop-bush) - A fast growing upright evergreen shrub 4 to 6+ feet tall and spreading 3 to 5 feet wide with 2 inch long pinnate leaves with tiny dark green linear leaflets that are slightly notched along the edges. This female selection has small flowers that are not showy but is covered with showy winged, shiny reddish-burgundy fruits later winter into summer.
This plant is showiest when planted in full sun but will also grow in part sun and tolerates about any soil so long as it is decently draining. Irrigate occasionally to very little - this is a tough drought tolerant plant. It is hardy to 20-25 degrees F. A great specimen plant in the garden or in a pot where its spectacular fruiting display can be enjoyed and is also good in cut flower arrangements.
This species is found in a large area of semi-arid Australia from South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia where it generally occurs on gravelly hills and mounds. It was first described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1863 based on plant material collected in the vicinity of Neales River in South Australia. The name of the genus honors Rembert Dodoens, a 16th Century Flemish botanist and the specific epithet is from the Latin words 'micro' meaning "small" or "short" and 'zyga' meaning "yoked" or "joined" in reference to the small leaflets joined opposite along the leaf rachis.
We originally grew this plant from 1995 until 2002 but decided to grow it once again after seeing it looking great at Australian Native Plant Nursery. We thank Jo O'Connell for providing us the stock to grow this attractive plant again.
This information about Dodonaea microzyga 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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