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Styphelia spp.

five-corners

Ericaceae Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Styphelia spp. is a large genus of evergreen shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae, subfamily Styphelioideae), native mainly to Australia, with the genus broadened to include many species once placed in related epacrid genera. Known as five-corners and by other local names, the plants range from low, spreading shrubs to upright forms 1-8 feet (0.3-2.4 m) tall, with small, stiff, often sharply pointed leaves crowded along the stems. The tubular flowers, 0.4-1.2 inches (10-30 mm) long, hang in the leaf axils in red, green, yellow, cream, or pink, with five lobes that roll back to expose a tuft of protruding, bearded stamens and a long style. Small fruits follow. Styphelia spp. grows on sandy, gravelly, acidic, low-nutrient soils in heath, scrub, and open woodland, in full sun to light shade. Like other Australian heaths it is phosphorus-sensitive, intolerant of root disturbance, and needs sharp drainage. Nectar-feeding birds visit the tubular flowers. Many species are slow and uneven to establish, and can be short-lived in cultivation away from their native soils.

Native Range

Styphelia spp. is native mainly to Australia, occurring across many states in heath, coastal scrub, and dry sclerophyll woodland, with a few species extending to New Caledonia and the wider region. It grows on sandy and gravelly, acidic, low-nutrient soils.

Suggested Uses

Styphelia spp. is used in native, heath, and rockery gardens and sandy low-nutrient borders in mild, frost-free to lightly frosted regions. Its tubular flowers feature in plantings aimed at attracting nectar-feeding birds. It suits containers of free-draining acidic mix where garden soils are unsuitable.

How to Identify

Identify Styphelia spp. by its heath-like habit of small, stiff, sharply pointed leaves crowded on the stems and its tubular axillary flowers whose five lobes curl back to reveal protruding, bearded stamens and a projecting style. Flower color ranges from red and pink to green, yellow, and cream. Sandy, acidic Australian heath habitat helps confirm the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 8'

Width/Spread1' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Fall Winter Spring

Flowering varies among species but is concentrated in autumn, winter, and spring, with some bloom much of the year in mild areas. The tubular flowers hang singly in the leaf axils and are rich in nectar. Nectar-feeding birds visit them through the flowering season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red, pink, green, yellow, or cream

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 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 Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Styphelia spp. requires sharp drainage and acidic, sandy or gravelly, low-nutrient soil, in full sun to light shade. Water needs are low once established, though plants will not tolerate waterlogging or rich, fertilized ground. Phosphorus-sensitive like many Australian Ericaceae, it can decline if fed standard fertilizers. Soil pH should be acidic, roughly 4.5 to 6.0. Plants are frost tender to lightly frost hardy and suit mild, Mediterranean to subtropical climates. Establishment from seed or cuttings is slow and uneven, and plants transplant poorly.

Pruning

Pruning needs are minimal. A light tip prune after flowering keeps the habit dense, but cutting into bare old wood is avoided because these heaths reshoot poorly from leafless stems. Only dead or damaged growth is otherwise removed.