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Tetratheca spp.
pink bells
Overview
Tetratheca spp. is a genus of about 50 small evergreen subshrubs and shrubs in the family Elaeocarpaceae, endemic to Australia. Plants form low, wiry mounds 8-36 inches (20-90 cm) tall, with slender stems carrying small leaves that may be scattered, whorled, or reduced to scales. The nodding flowers have four (sometimes five) spreading petals in pink, mauve, purple, or white, with a cluster of dark, beak-like anthers at the center that release pollen through pores. Native bees vibrate the anthers to shake out the pollen, a buzz-pollination method that drives most fruit set. Flowering runs mainly through spring. Many species grow in nutrient-poor heath and forest on sandy or rocky, acidic soils with sharp drainage. Plants are damaged by high soil phosphorus, in common with much of the Australian flora, and rot in heavy, wet ground. Frost tolerance is limited, and the wiry growth can become open and woody with age unless trimmed.
Native Range
Tetratheca spp. is endemic to Australia, with the greatest diversity in the southwest and additional species in the southeast and Tasmania. It grows in heath, woodland, and open forest on sandy and rocky acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a small flowering shrub in native, rockery, and low-water gardens, and in containers where drainage can be controlled. Suited to sandy banks and heath-style plantings with other acid-loving natives.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 3'
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Nodding four-petaled flowers open mainly through spring in shades of pink, mauve, purple, or white. The dark central anthers release pollen when vibrated by native bees. Bloom can extend over several weeks in cool conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink, mauve, purple, or whiteFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to light shade on sandy or gravelly, sharply drained, acidic soil. Water moderately while establishing, then keep on the drier side, as the roots rot in wet ground. Use low-phosphorus fertilizer or none, in keeping with phosphorus-sensitive natives. Trim lightly after flowering to keep the wiry growth dense. Most species are hardy only to light frost and need shelter in cold districts.Pruning
Trim lightly after flowering, cutting back the soft new growth to maintain a compact mound. Plants resent hard cutting into bare old wood. Remove dead or frost-damaged stems in spring.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons