Chapters
Eriostemon - Growing Guide
Caring for Eriostemon myoporoides
(syn. Philotheca myoporoides)
Long leaf wax flower
E. myoporoides is an erect, busy, evergreen shrub growing 3-5ft in height with a similar spread. It has warty stems and long pointed warty aromatic leaves (2-4in) which are deep green above and paler below. With us it produces small white star-like flowers in profusion from early spring but these last a long time and further flowers appear through the season on this dense small shrub. The flowers each have five petals and are borne in small clusters.
It comes from Australia and is a borderline plant if grown outdoors except in the mildest coastal areas that have little frost. If grown in full sun in shelter (or perhaps against a wall) it does perform well in a smaller growing maritime shrub border. In the conservatory it may need clipping and shaping after a time but the fragrance of the flowers in spring makes this a rare but attractive addition.
Plants
