Pomax spp.

pomax

Rubiaceae Eastern and Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Pomax spp. is a small genus of low, wiry subshrubs in the madder family (Rubiaceae), native to Australia and represented chiefly by Pomax umbellata. Plants are much-branched and somewhat straggling, reaching 8-24 in (20-60 cm) tall, with rough, four-angled stems and small, stiff, rough-surfaced leaves set in opposite pairs or whorls. From spring into summer the branch tips carry compact, umbel-like heads of small tubular flowers, cream to white and sometimes tinged pink, surrounded by a collar of leafy bracts. The flowers ripen into small dry nut-like fruits enclosed in the persistent bracts. The genus grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and heath, usually on sandy or rocky, low-nutrient soils, and tolerates drought and seasonal fire. The rough foliage and small flowers make it more a plant of habitat and native gardens than of showy display. One limitation is its straggling, open habit, and another is the small size of the individual flowers.

Native Range

Pomax spp. is native to eastern and southeastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. Plants grow in dry sclerophyll forest, heath, and rocky or sandy woodland, often on poor, well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native, dry-climate, and rockery gardens, on sandy banks, and in habitat plantings for native bees and other small insects. The low, wiry growth suits informal ground among larger shrubs. Plants also stabilise light soils on dry slopes.

How to Identify

Recognize Pomax spp. by its low, wiry, much-branched stems that are rough and four-angled, with small stiff leaves in pairs or whorls. The cream to white tubular flowers gather in tight, umbel-like heads set within a ruff of leafy bracts that persist around the dry fruit. The rough texture of stems and leaves is a useful field guide.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs mainly from spring into summer, roughly September to January in the native range. The small cream to white tubular flowers open together in compact terminal heads. Bracts persist around the developing fruit after the flowers fade.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to white

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 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 Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Pomax spp. grows in full sun to light shade on sharply drained sandy or gravelly soils that are low in nutrients, at an acidic to neutral pH of about 5.0 to 7.0. Plants tolerate drought once established and need little or no supplementary water in temperate climates. Phosphorus-rich fertilisers are avoided, as with many Australian natives, and lean soil keeps growth compact. The genus suits frost-free to lightly frosted, warm temperate climates and corresponds to roughly USDA zones 9 to 10. Open air movement and free drainage reduce root and foliage problems. Plants are propagated from seed or cuttings, both of which can be slow.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering reduces the straggling habit and encourages denser branching. Cutting is kept within the leafy growth, as old bare stems reshoot slowly. Spent flower heads can be left, since the bracts hold the small fruits.

Pruning Schedule

summer