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Brachyloma ericoides

brush heath

Ericaceae Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Brachyloma ericoides is a small evergreen shrub reaching 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) wide, with an erect, twiggy habit and crowded foliage. The leaves are small, narrow, and heath-like, 0.1-0.4 inch (3-10 mm) long, stiff and sharp-pointed, densely arranged along the stems. Small tubular white flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) long hang in the leaf axils along the upper stems, with five short spreading lobes and a faint scent. Flowering occurs from late winter into spring. The flowers are followed by small rounded fruit. Growth is slow to moderate, and plants are short-lived, often persisting 4-8 years. It grows in sandy, well-drained soils and tolerates exposed, dry sites but declines in heavy clay or waterlogged ground. Foliage is hardy to about 23°F (-5°C).

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, across New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Grows in heathland and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy, well-drained soils, from near sea level to about 3,000 feet (900 m).

Suggested Uses

Used in native, heath, and rockery plantings on well-drained sandy sites, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Suited to small native gardens and exposed coastal banks. Grows in containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L) with free-draining mix.

How to Identify

Recognized by crowded, small, stiff heath-like leaves 0.1-0.4 inch (3-10 mm) long with sharp tips, and small white tubular flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) long in the upper leaf axils. The five short spreading lobes at the mouth of each flower and the faint scent are characteristic. Its dense, twiggy heath form separates it from larger-leaved Brachyloma spp. species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowers from late winter into spring, mainly August to October in its native range. The small white tubular flowers carry a faint scent and open over several weeks. Flowering is heaviest in open, sunny positions.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade in sandy, sharply drained soil. Water moderately during establishment; established plants tolerate dry periods but decline in waterlogged ground. Performs poorly in heavy clay and still, humid air, where root and stem rots develop. It can be propagated from cuttings, which root slowly. Plants are short-lived, often replaced after 4-8 years. Few insect pests affect it.

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering to keep a compact, twiggy shape; the stems tolerate removal of up to one-third of the season growth. Bare old wood reshoots poorly, so trimming is kept to leafy stems. Remove dead twigs as they appear.

Pruning Schedule

spring