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Hysterobaeckea spp.
Australia (southwest Western Australia)
Overview
Hysterobaeckea spp. is a small genus of shrubs in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, endemic to Australia and segregated from the related genus Baeckea spp.. The plants are heath-like (ericoid) shrubs with small, crowded, often aromatic leaves dotted with oil glands, a trait typical of the family. Across the genus, plants are low to medium shrubs roughly 1 to 6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 m) tall. The flowers carry five rounded white to pink petals around a ring of stamens and a broad central disc, and they are borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils. As in many Myrtaceae, flowering is followed by small woody capsules that release tiny seed. The genus is concentrated in the southwest of Western Australia, where its species grow in sandy or rocky heathland and shrubland (kwongan) on nutrient-poor soils in open, sunny positions. Most species occupy restricted areas of the southwest and are uncommon in cultivation. The small leaves and flowers give a finely textured rather than bold appearance, and the plants are frost-tender, so they are damaged by hard frost in cool climates.
Native Range
Hysterobaeckea spp. is endemic to Australia, with its species concentrated in the southwest of Western Australia. The plants grow in sandy and rocky heath and shrubland on nutrient-poor soils.Suggested Uses
Hysterobaeckea spp. is used in native, water-wise, and coastal gardens in mild climates, and in low informal shrub plantings on sandy soils. The small aromatic foliage and spring flowers suit rockeries and mixed heath-style borders. Compact forms can be grown in containers of free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 5'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, roughly September to December in the native range, with timing varying between species. The small flowers are white to pink with a central cluster of stamens. They draw small native bees and other insects.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pinkFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Hysterobaeckea spp. grows in full sun in sandy or gravelly, sharply drained soils that are low in nutrients, reflecting its kwongan heath origins. The genus tolerates dry conditions once established and is sensitive to phosphorus, so high-phosphorus fertilisers can harm the roots. Plants are frost-tender to marginally hardy, suited to roughly USDA zones 9 to 10 and mild Mediterranean-type climates. Wet, heavy, or poorly drained soils are tolerated poorly and can cause root disease. Propagation is usually by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings, as for related Baeckea spp..Pruning
A light trim after flowering keeps the shrubs compact and encourages bushy growth. Cutting into old leafless wood is left undone, as related myrtles are slow to reshoot from bare stems. Spent flowering shoots can be shortened to maintain shape.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons