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Leucopogon spp.

beard heath

Ericaceae

Australia, with extensions to New Zealand, Malesia, and the Pacific

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Leucopogon spp. is a large genus of evergreen shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae), known as beard heaths, with most of its many species native to Australia and others reaching New Zealand, Malesia, and the Pacific. Plants range from low, spreading subshrubs to erect shrubs 0.2-3 m (0.7-10 ft) tall, with small, stiff, often pointed leaves arranged along wiry stems. The small flowers are tubular to bell-shaped and usually white, with the inner surface of the spreading lobes densely bearded with white hairs, the feature that gives the group its common name. Flowers are carried in short spikes or clusters and are followed by small fleshy drupes, which are edible and slightly sweet in some species such as L. parviflorus, the coast beard heath. The genus grows in heath, woodland, coastal scrub, and rocky or sandy sites, generally on acidic, low-nutrient soils. Plants are mostly slow-growing and adapted to poor ground, and like other heath-family members are sensitive to phosphorus and to lime. Many species are challenging to propagate and establish, which limits their use in cultivation despite the trim foliage and bearded flowers.

Native Range

Leucopogon spp. is native mainly to Australia, where it occurs in every state, with additional species in New Zealand, New Guinea, Malesia, and the Pacific. Plants grow in heath, open woodland, and coastal scrub on acidic, sandy or rocky soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native gardens, heath plantings, and rockeries, and on coastal sites where salt and sand are tolerated by some species. The edible berries of L. parviflorus are eaten fresh. Plants are spaced 0.3-1 m (1-3 ft) apart according to species size.

How to Identify

Recognized by small, stiff, often sharp-tipped leaves on wiry stems and small white tubular flowers whose spreading lobes are densely bearded with white hairs inside. The flowers are followed by small white or coloured fleshy berries. The bearded flower lobes separate it from most other heaths.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 10'

Width/Spread1' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering is mainly in winter and spring, with timing varying widely across the large genus and its broad range. The small bearded white flowers open over several weeks. Fleshy drupes follow through spring and summer in many species.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade and require acidic, sharply drained, low-nutrient soil. Like other heath-family plants they are sensitive to phosphorus and to lime, so standard fertilizers and alkaline soils are unsuitable. Establishment is often slow and propagation from seed or cuttings can be difficult. Most species tolerate dry periods once established but decline in heavy or waterlogged ground. Frost tolerance varies with the wide geographic and altitudinal range of the genus.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants compact without cutting into bare wood, which reshoots slowly. Dead or damaged stems can be removed at any time. Many species need little pruning beyond shaping.