Hysterobaeckea behrii
Broom Baeckea
Overview
Hysterobaeckea behrii is an evergreen shrub in the family Myrtaceae, reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide, with an upright, broom-like habit formed by slender, erect branches. Leaves are small and linear to narrowly cylindrical, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) long, crowded along the stems, mid-green to grey-green, and aromatic when crushed. White five-petalled flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across appear singly or in small clusters along the upper branches, each with a ring of short stamens. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer, followed by small woody capsules that persist on the stems. Growth is moderate, with plants forming an open framework over 3-4 years. The species tolerates extended dry periods once established but loses lower foliage and becomes sparse in deep shade or waterlogged soils. Native to semi-arid mallee and woodland on sandy and rocky soils, it withstands light to moderate frost. The wiry stems and narrow leaves give the shrub a thin, see-through outline rather than dense cover.
Native Range
Native to semi-arid southern Australia, occurring in South Australia, north-western Victoria, and southern New South Wales. Grows in mallee shrubland and open woodland on sandy, loamy, and rocky soils, often on low rises and along seasonal drainage lines.Suggested Uses
Planted in native and water-conserving gardens, low screens, and informal hedges at 3-4 foot (0.9-1.2 m) spacing. Suited to sandy coastal and semi-arid sites; grows poorly in humid, high-rainfall climates with heavy soils. Grows in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L) with a free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly from spring into early summer (September to December in its native range), with scattered flowering after rain at other times. Individual flowers last about 1-2 weeks; the main display extends 4-6 weeks. Warm, dry conditions shorten the flowering period.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mid-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
Water regularly through the first growing season to establish roots, then reduce to occasional deep watering during prolonged drought. Plants grow in full sun to light shade and need sharply drained sandy or gravelly soils, as wet, heavy soils cause root rot. The species is sensitive to high phosphorus, like many Myrtaceae from semi-arid soils, so low-phosphorus fertiliser is used where soils are poor. Frost to about 25 F (-4 C) is tolerated once plants are established. Few pests affect the species, though scale insects occasionally colonise stems in humid conditions.Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain density, removing up to one-third of the stem length. Tip-pruning of young plants increases branching and reduces the open, leggy form that develops with age. Plants tolerate cutting back into older wood but regenerate slowly in dry conditions.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons