Persoonia linearis
narrow-leaf geebung
Overview
Persoonia linearis is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 5-16 feet (1.5-5 m) tall with an open, upright habit. The bark is dark grey and flaky, often revealing reddish underbark. Leaves are narrow and linear, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long and only 0.04-0.12 inch (1-3 mm) wide, dark green, and crowded along the stems. Small yellow tubular flowers about 0.4 inch (10 mm) long, each with four recurved tepals, appear singly along the branch tips, mainly in summer and autumn. The fruit is a fleshy green to purplish drupe about 0.4 inch (10 mm) long containing one or two seeds. Growth is moderate. Plants resprout from a lignotuber after fire. The species needs sandy, acidic, sharply drained soils and is intolerant of phosphorus-rich fertilizers and heavy, wet ground.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, in coastal and tableland districts of New South Wales and eastern Victoria. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland on sandy and sandstone soils, often on ridges and slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in native and low-water gardens and in bushland restoration on sandy soils, spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) apart. The narrow foliage and reddish bark suit informal screening and habitat plantings. Exacting drainage and fertilizer needs limit its use in heavy or enriched soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 16'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in sandy, acidic, sharply drained soils. Established plants tolerate dry periods and need watering only in extended drought. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers damage the roots, as with most plants in the protea family. Heavy, poorly drained soils cause root rot. Few pests affect it. Plants resprout from a lignotuber after fire or hard cutting.Pruning
Tolerates light to moderate pruning after flowering to maintain a compact shape. Plants resprout from the lignotuber if cut back hard. Tip pruning of young plants produces a bushier form.Pruning Schedule
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fall