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Chamelaucium uncinatum
Geraldton wax
Overview
Chamelaucium uncinatum is an evergreen shrub reaching 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall and 3-8 feet (1-2.4 m) wide, with slender upright stems that arch outward under the weight of the flowers. Leaves are linear and needle-like, 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) long and about 0.04 inch (1 mm) wide, mid-green, tipped with a short recurved hook, and dotted with oil glands that release a citrus and resin scent when crushed. Flowers have five spreading petals with a waxy surface, measure 0.5-0.8 inch (12-20 mm) across, and are carried in clusters along the upper 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) of each stem. Petals open white to pale pink and deepen to rose or purple over 7-10 days, so one stem carries two or three shades at the same time. Flowering runs 8-12 weeks in winter and early spring. Young plants extend 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) per year in sandy soil. Cut stems hold 10-14 days in water and are grown commercially for the florist trade. Plants live 5-10 years and can collapse within days once root rot from Phytophthora cinnamomi reaches the crown, most often in soil that stays wet above 68F (20C). Cuts into leafless older wood do not reshoot.
Native Range
Native to Western Australia, on the coastal sandplain from Geraldton north to Kalbarri and inland toward the Murchison River. Grows in deep white and yellow sand and in sandy heath over limestone, in country receiving 12-20 inches (300-500 mm) of rain, nearly all of it between May and September. Populations occur from sea level to about 900 feet (275 m).Suggested Uses
Grown as a cut-flower crop in Western Australia, Israel, and California, and planted at 5-8 foot (1.5-2.4 m) spacing in dry-climate gardens, coastal sand gardens, and low windbreaks. Used in containers of 15 gallons (57 L) or larger in free-draining mixes, where plants hold for 4-6 years. A life span of 5-10 years and sensitivity to summer water limit use in irrigated beds and lawn borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs 8-12 weeks from mid-winter into spring, July to November in Western Australia and February to May in USDA zones 9-11 of the Northern Hemisphere. Individual flowers stay open 10-14 days and change color between opening and drop. Plants under two years old flower on 20-40 percent of their stems, with full flowering from the third season. Bud initiation follows 6-8 weeks of night temperatures below 55F (13C), so flowering is sparse in frost-free tropical climates.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to rose-purpleFoliage Description
Mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water every 2-3 weeks through the first summer, then only in droughts longer than 6-8 weeks, since established plants flower on stored soil moisture. Sharp drainage in sand or gravelly loam is required, and root rot from Phytophthora cinnamomi kills plants within 1-2 weeks in soil that holds water above 68F (20C). Raised beds 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) high and plants grafted onto rot-tolerant rootstock extend life in clay soils to 8-10 years. Phosphorus above 10 ppm causes leaf drop and shoot dieback, so fertilizer formulated for Australian natives is applied at 1 ounce per square yard (30 g per square meter) after flowering. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 suits the species, and new growth yellows between the veins above pH 8.0. Summer irrigation continuing through the dormant period reduces the number of flower buds set the following winter.Pruning
Stems are cut back by one third immediately after flowering, taking 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) from each flowering shoot and leaving leaves on every cut stem. Cuts into leafless wood more than two years old rarely produce new shoots, and the stub dies back to the next living leaf. Harvesting stems for cut flowers during bloom does the same work as pruning and holds plants at 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m). Plants left uncut for 3-4 years open out at the base, with flowering confined to the outer 12 inches (30 cm) of each branch.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons