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Hypocalymma angustifolium

white myrtle

Myrtaceae South-western Western Australia

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

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Hypocalymma angustifolium is a small evergreen shrub 1.5-3 feet (0.5-1 m) tall and 2-3 feet (0.6-1 m) wide, with slender arching stems. The leaves are narrow and almost needle-like, 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long, bright green, and release a lemon scent when crushed. From late winter into spring small five-petalled flowers about 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across line the stems in pairs along the older wood, opening white and ageing to deep pink, so a plant often shows both colours at once. H. angustifolium grows in winter-wet sandy flats and heath in south-western Western Australia. The species needs sharp drainage and dislikes prolonged summer humidity, which can limit it in eastern Australian gardens. It grows poorly in heavy, wet soils. Light pruning keeps the open, arching habit dense.

Native Range

Hypocalymma angustifolium is native to south-western Western Australia, where it grows in winter-wet sandy flats, heath, and woodland.

Suggested Uses

H. angustifolium is grown in native, rockery, and low-water gardens on sharply drained sites, and in containers, spaced 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) apart. It also suits sunny mixed plantings with other Western Australian shrubs.

How to Identify

Look for narrow, almost needle-like bright green leaves 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long that smell of lemon when crushed. From late winter into spring small five-petalled flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across line the stems in pairs, opening white and ageing to deep pink so both colours show together.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering runs from late winter into spring, roughly June to October in the native range. Small five-petalled flowers open in pairs along the older stems, white at first and ageing to deep pink. Native bees and other insects visit the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white ageing to deep pink

Foliage Description

bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-8 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

H. angustifolium grows in full sun to part shade in sandy, sharply drained soils. Watering through the first growing season supports establishment, after which plants tolerate dry spells. It is sensitive to high phosphorus, so a low-phosphorus or native-plant fertiliser suits it. Heavy, wet soils and prolonged summer humidity raise the risk of root and stem rot. Light frost is tolerated in USDA zones 9-10. The shrub keeps a denser form with light pruning.

Pruning

Light pruning after flowering, trimming the flowered stems, keeps the shrub compact and encourages flowering wood. H. angustifolium responds to pruning of soft wood but not to hard cuts into bare stems. Tip-pruning of young plants builds a fuller shape.

Pruning Schedule

late spring