Eriostemon australasius (pink wax flower)

Eriostemon spp.

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Eriostemon spp. is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the citrus family, Rutaceae, endemic to eastern Australia and known as wax flowers. Once a large genus, most of its species have been moved to the related genus Philotheca spp., leaving Eriostemon spp. with only a few species, including the pink wax flower, E. australasius. Plants are upright shrubs reaching about 2 to 7 ft (0.6 to 2 m), with narrow, leathery leaves dotted with oil glands that release a sharp scent when crushed. The five-petalled flowers are star-shaped and waxy in texture, pink to white, opening from late winter into spring along the stems. As members of the citrus family, the foliage is aromatic, and the firm petals hold their form and colour well in the garden and as cut stems. Eriostemon spp. grows in sandy, well-drained soils of heath and open woodland, usually on acidic ground low in nutrients. Its main limitations in cultivation are a need for sharp drainage and low phosphorus, as the roots are sensitive to rich or wet soils. Frost tolerance is limited, so it is grown mainly in mild, frost-free regions.

Native Range

Endemic to eastern Australia, mainly in New South Wales and Queensland, with the pink wax flower E. australasius found in coastal heath and sandstone woodland. Eriostemon spp. grows in sandy, acidic, low-nutrient soils of these open habitats.

Suggested Uses

Eriostemon spp. species are grown as flowering shrubs in native and coastal gardens, in sandy or rockery beds, and for cut flowers. The spring blooms draw bees and butterflies. Compact plants suit large containers of free-draining native mix in mild climates.

How to Identify

Evergreen shrubs with narrow, leathery, gland-dotted leaves that smell sharp when crushed, in the citrus family. The flowers are five-petalled, star-shaped, and noticeably waxy, pink to white, set along the upper stems. Waxy star flowers and aromatic, oil-dotted foliage on a sandy-heath shrub point to Eriostemon spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 7'

Width/Spread2' - 5'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering runs from late winter into spring, roughly July to October in the native range. The waxy five-petalled flowers open along the stems and last well, both on the plant and when cut. A single shrub may flower over many weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to white

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

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Eriostemon spp. species grow in full sun to light shade in sandy, sharply drained, acidic soil low in nutrients. Like many Australian Rutaceae, they are sensitive to high phosphorus, so general fertilisers can harm the roots. Little water is needed once established, though they grow more strongly with some moisture during dry spells in their first seasons. Heavy clay and wet ground cause root rot and are poorly tolerated. Frost tolerance is limited, restricting them to mild, near-frost-free climates. A light feed with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser suits them if growth is weak.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps Eriostemon spp. shrubs bushy and shapely. Pruning into bare old wood is usually avoided, as the plants can be slow to reshoot. Tip pruning of young plants encourages a denser habit.