Gynatrix pulchella
hemp bush
Overview
Gynatrix pulchella is a fast-growing evergreen shrub 6-13 feet (2-4 m) tall and 6-10 feet (2-3 m) wide, with soft wood and arching branches. The leaves are heart-shaped to oval, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, mid-green, softly hairy, and toothed along the margins. Plants are dioecious, carrying male and female flowers on separate shrubs; small cream to white flowers about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) across are clustered in the leaf axils in spring. Small dry fruits follow on female plants. The fibrous inner bark was used by Aboriginal people to make string and nets, which is reflected in the common name hemp bush. G. pulchella grows along creeks, rivers, and moist gullies in south-eastern Australia. It needs reliably moist soil and grows poorly in dry, exposed sites. The soft wood is brittle, and plants are relatively short-lived but regenerate quickly from seed and coppice.
Native Range
Gynatrix pulchella is native to south-eastern Australia, occurring in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It grows along creeks, rivers, and moist gullies.Suggested Uses
G. pulchella is grown for fast screening and habitat along creek lines, in rain gardens, and on moist banks, spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) apart. It is also used in riparian revegetation in south-eastern Australia.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 13'
Width/Spread6' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring, roughly September to November in the native range. Clusters of small cream to white flowers form in the leaf axils, with male and female flowers on separate shrubs. Insects visit the flowers, and small dry fruits follow on female plants.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
cream to whiteFoliage Description
mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
G. pulchella grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soils and tolerates seasonally wet ground along watercourses. Even moisture suits it, and growth slows or stalls in dry, exposed sites. Watering through the first growing season supports establishment. It withstands frost in USDA zones 8-10. Growth is fast but the soft wood is brittle, so a sheltered position reduces breakage. Plants coppice readily after cutting.Pruning
G. pulchella tolerates hard pruning and coppicing, regrowing quickly from the base. Cutting back leggy or brittle stems in late winter renews the shrub. Removing damaged wood after storms keeps the framework sound.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter