Babingtonia ‘Mt Tozer’

Babingtonia 'Mt Tozer' (Babingtonia sp. 'Mt Tozer') is a fine leaved Australian native that behaves like a soft, informal conifer. It grows to about 2.5m tall and 2m wide, clips readily into a hedge or a shaped ball, and covers itself in small white flowers. The needle fine, aromatic foliage gives a clipped plant a dense, velvety surface.

Why you'll love it

• It takes shaping better than most natives. Fine foliage and a dense habit mean it holds a crisp line as a hedge, a cone or an informal mound.
• Native, and useful to wildlife. The white flowers draw bees and butterflies, and the twiggy structure gives small birds cover.
• Tough where it counts. Drought tolerant once established, comfortable in humidity, and content on poor soil.
• A softer alternative to clipped exotics. It gives the formality of box or conifer without the water demand.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 1m apart in a single row. At that spacing the plants meet within two seasons and hold foliage to the base rather than lifting into bare stems.

Screening and privacy. Left unclipped it reaches about 2.5m, enough to screen a fence line or a neighbouring window, at the same 1m spacing.

Feature planting and topiary. Single plants shape into balls, cones and standards, so it suits an entry pair or a repeated accent through a bed.

Growing Babingtonia 'Mt Tozer' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the densest growth and heaviest flowering. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland and southern districts will burn the soft growth.

Soil. Drainage matters more than fertility. It tolerates poor soil well, so there is no need to enrich the bed. On clay, plant on a raised mound and mulch 75mm deep, clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer, then taper off. Feed a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring, since standard garden blends can be too rich.

Pruning. Tip prune from the day it goes in: that habit is the difference between a dense hedge and a leggy shrub. Afterwards shear lightly two or three times a year, staying in green growth rather than cutting into bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock: young plants well under knee height, with a single leader and fine side growth just beginning. For a long hedge run that is the sensible size to buy, since tubes establish fast and catch larger stock within a couple of years.

The fine foliage travels well, and a little needle drop in transit is normal. Plant promptly, keep the water up through the first summer, and expect a hedge line to begin closing in the second growing season. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more Australian native shrubs
• Compare screening plants in the 2m to 4m range
• How to create a great hedge and keep it sharp
• Bird attracting native plants for Australian gardens

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row. Closer spacing does not close the hedge any faster and makes it harder to water and feed each plant properly.

How often does it need clipping?

Two or three light shears a year hold a formal shape, and once a year is enough for an informal screen.

Will it handle frost?

Light frost only. An occasional cold snap in a warm temperate garden is fine, but repeated hard frosts burn the fine foliage, so it is not a plant for tableland or cold inland gardens.

Does it need native fertiliser?

Yes, use a low phosphorus native blend. Like many Australian natives it reacts badly to high phosphorus feeds, and it does not need rich soil in any case.