{"product_id":"blue-tongue-melastoma-affine","title":"Blue Tongue - Melastoma affine","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Tongue (Melastoma affine)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlue Tongue is northern Australia's answer to the tibouchina - big mauve-purple flowers with golden stamens, produced nearly year-round in warm climates, on a fast bushy native shrub. The berries that follow famously stain tongues blue, hence the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🌱 Why Gardeners Love Blue Tongue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ \u003cstrong\u003eShowy purple blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e - large open flowers appear in flushes through most of the year up north.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ \u003cstrong\u003eTrue local native\u003c\/strong\u003e - a rainforest-edge species supporting native bees, especially buzz-pollinating blue-banded bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ \u003cstrong\u003eFast screening\u003c\/strong\u003e - reaches 1.5-2m quickly for informal privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ \u003cstrong\u003eBird and wildlife food\u003c\/strong\u003e - purple berries feed native birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ \u003cstrong\u003eHandles wet feet\u003c\/strong\u003e - thrives in the humid, seasonally damp spots many shrubs hate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🏡 How to Use Blue Tongue in Your Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eTropical-style borders\u003c\/strong\u003e - lush green backdrop with constant colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eInformal native screens\u003c\/strong\u003e - the 200mm pack of six plants a full privacy run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eRain gardens \u0026amp; damp corners\u003c\/strong\u003e - happy where drainage is imperfect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ \u003cstrong\u003eHabitat gardens\u003c\/strong\u003e - a magnet for native pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEasy Planting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade in warm frost-free climates; rich, moist soil brings the best flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1-1.2m apart for screening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring through autumn in the subtropics and tropics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering \u0026amp; Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep moist through establishment and dry spells. Tip-prune regularly and cut back by a third after main flushes to keep it dense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e❔ FAQs About Blue Tongue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I grow it in Sydney or Melbourne?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt suits Sydney's warmer pockets in a sheltered, frost-free spot. In Melbourne it struggles outdoors - consider a tibouchina instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the berries edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe pulp is technically edible and famously stains mouths blue-black, though it is grown for flowers and wildlife rather than for eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is mine leggy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToo much shade and no pruning. More sun plus a regular tip-prune after flushes keeps it full to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":54739820216639,"sku":null,"price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54739820249407,"sku":null,"price":259.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54739820282175,"sku":null,"price":281.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-tongue-melastoma-affine-acbfdb.jpg?v=1785940653","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/blue-tongue-melastoma-affine","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}