Sprengelia spp.

pink swamp-heath

Ericaceae

South-eastern Australia and Tasmania

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Sprengelia spp. is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the family Ericaceae, native to south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Plants form upright, wiry shrubs 1-5 feet (0.3-1.5 m) tall with crowded, stem-clasping leaves that taper to a sharp point and spread stiffly from the stem. Clusters of small, star-shaped flowers open at the branch tips from late winter into spring, in shades of pink to nearly white, each with five spreading, pointed lobes. The leafy bracts around the flowers repeat the colour of the petals. The genus grows in wet heath, swamp margins, and peaty soils that stay damp, in full sun to light shade. It needs constant moisture and acidic ground and does not tolerate dry or limy soils. Plants suit bog gardens and native plantings in mild, frost-free to light-frost climates, roughly USDA zones 9 to 10.

Native Range

Sprengelia spp. is native to south-eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. The shrubs grow in wet heathland, swamps, bogs, and along seepage lines on peaty, acidic soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in bog gardens, pond and stream margins, native and heath plantings, and containers kept constantly moist. Spaced 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) apart, plants form low, wiry mounds. The spring flowers also draw native bees and other small pollinators.

How to Identify

Recognized by upright, wiry stems closely clothed in stiff, stem-clasping leaves that taper to a sharp point and stand out from the stem. Star-shaped, five-lobed flowers in pink to white cluster at the branch tips in late winter and spring, framed by coloured leafy bracts. The clasping pointed leaves and starry bract-backed flowers separate the genus from other heath shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 5'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs from late winter into spring, generally July to November in the native range. Star-shaped pink to white flowers gather at the branch tips, backed by coloured bracts. The display lasts several weeks where soils stay moist.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to white

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 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 - 5.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

peat sand

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade on peaty, acidic, constantly moist soils at a pH from about 4.5 to 5.5. They need ground that never dries out and tolerate seasonal waterlogging, making them suited to bog and pond-margin sites. Sharp drainage is not wanted; instead the roots are kept cool and damp with a peaty or sandy-peat mix. They do not tolerate lime, drought, or rich feeding. Light shaping after flowering keeps plants bushy. Hardiness suits frost-free to light-frost regions, roughly USDA zones 9 to 10.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants compact and slows open, leggy growth. Cutting is kept to leafy stems, since bare old wood resprouts slowly. Spent flower clusters can be removed to tidy the shrub.

Pruning Schedule

late spring