Persoonia juniperina
prickly geebung
Overview
Persoonia juniperina is a low evergreen shrub growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and spreading 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) wide, with a stiff, often prostrate to mounded form. The leaves are needle-like, 0.4-0.8 inch (10-20 mm) long, crowded along the branches, stiff and ending in a sharp point that gives them a prickly, juniper-like feel. Small yellow tubular flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) long open singly in the leaf axils through summer and early autumn, the four tepals curling back at the tips. The flowers are followed by green, fleshy, rounded fruits about 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) across that ripen and fall. The shrub grows in heath, woodland, and dry forest on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils and tolerates extended dryness. Its prickly foliage and low spreading habit persist year-round.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia. Grows in heath, woodland, and dry sclerophyll forest on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in heath gardens, native shrubberies, and low-water plantings on sandy soils, spaced about 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) apart. Used as a low, prickly groundcover shrub on banks and in rockeries. The sharp foliage forms a low barrier and limits its use beside paths.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 5'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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