Pimelea glauca
smooth riceflower
Overview
Pimelea glauca is a small evergreen shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae, growing 8–24 inches (20–60 cm) tall and 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) wide, occasionally taller. The leaves are opposite, oval to elliptic, 0.4–0.8 inch (10–20 mm) long, and covered with a blue-grey (glaucous) bloom that gives the species its name. Stems are slender and tough-barked. Flowers are white, sometimes flushed pink, and tubular with four spreading lobes, grouped into rounded terminal heads 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) across. Flowering occurs mainly in spring, with scattered flowers at other times in mild conditions. The shrub grows in grassland, open woodland, and coastal heath across southern and eastern Australia. It tolerates dry, exposed sites and poor soils once established but is short-lived and declines in wet, poorly drained ground. Plants in the genus Pimelea spp. contain diterpene compounds that are toxic to grazing livestock. The open habit can become straggly with age without trimming.
Native Range
Pimelea glauca is native to southern and eastern Australia, occurring across South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and southern Queensland. It grows in grassland, open woodland, and coastal heath, often on well-drained sandy or loamy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in rockeries, native gardens, and low-water plantings on well-drained soils. Planted in coastal and exposed gardens where it tolerates wind and salt. Grown in containers with free-draining mix where drainage in the ground is poor.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring, roughly September to November in the native range, with scattered flowers at other times in mild seasons. The rounded heads open white and are sometimes flushed pink. Each head is made up of many small tubular flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, sometimes pink-flushedFoliage Description
blue-greyGrowing 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
Grow Pimelea glauca in full sun in light, well-drained sandy or loamy soil. It tolerates drought, wind, and exposure once established and grows in low-nutrient soils. Sharp drainage matters, as the plant declines in wet or heavy ground. Water young plants sparingly until established, then water only in extended dry spells. The shrub is short-lived, often persisting only a few years. Soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 suits it.Pruning
Trim Pimelea glauca lightly after flowering to keep the habit compact and slow the straggly growth that develops with age. Cuts into bare old wood reshoot poorly, so trimming is kept to younger growth. Removing spent flower heads tidies the plant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons