Blue Waves Boronia

Blue Waves Boronia (Boronia heterophylla 'Blue Waves') is a dainty evergreen native shrub that covers itself in lightly scented lilac bells each spring. It grows to about 1m tall and wide, a size that sits comfortably at the front of a native or cottage border. It is a new colourway of a much-loved species, and a little extra care repays you with one of the softest colours in the native palette.

Why you'll love it

• Soft lilac bells. Tiny round bell flowers cover the plant in spring, in a cool lilac that sits well beside white, pink and silver foliage.
• Lightly scented. The fragrance is gentle rather than heavy, and best enjoyed on a few stems cut for a vase.
• Evergreen and fine textured. Delicate evergreen leaves keep the shrub looking fresh when it is not in flower.
• The right size for a border. At about 1m by 1m it never swamps its neighbours.
• Light frost is fine. It tolerates a light frost, which widens the southern gardens it can be tried in.

Where it works best

Native and cottage borders. Plant 80cm apart in groups of three or five towards the front of a sheltered border, where you can see and smell the flowers. It sits well with correas, dianellas and small grevilleas.

Under open trees. The dappled light beneath high-canopied trees suits it better than open sun, and the roots stay cooler there.

A cutting patch. Pruning after flowering means taking the flowering stems, so a few plants give you a vase of spring flowers and the year's prune in one go.

Growing Blue Waves Boronia in Australia

Position and climate. A sheltered spot in dappled shade, away from hot afternoon sun and drying wind. It tolerates a light frost. Boronia heterophylla is a Western Australian species that likes cool, moist roots, so it is happiest in Mediterranean and temperate gardens and needs more attention in hot, humid regions.

Soil. Free-draining, slightly acid soil with plenty of organic matter. Scatter gravel over the surface once the tube is planted, which cushions the soil against temperature swings and keeps the roots cool and damp while the plant settles.

Water and feed. Water regularly and never let the plant dry out or sit waterlogged, the balance that catches most gardeners out. When the flowers fade, feed with a slow release fertiliser made for natives and top up the mulch.

Pruning. Prune once flowering has finished, cutting the flowering stems back to shape the plant and encourage new growth. Taking those stems indoors makes the job easy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Blue Waves Boronia as tube stock and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. A tube is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, while the 200mm pots are larger, more developed plants that give a border earlier impact.

Tubes are supplied by our grower and are sometimes unavailable. A sold out tube means none are on hand at the moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day stock returns. Plants travel upright, so get them into a sheltered spot soon after they arrive and water them in well.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Australian native shrubs
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia
• Plants for partial shade
• How to prepare the soil for planting

Common questions

Why Blue Waves if the flowers are lilac?

The name nods to the cool lilac of the blooms. Expect lilac rather than true blue: in the garden it sits at the cool end of a boronia range that is mostly pinks and whites.

Does it need shade?

It prefers dappled shade and shelter. Full afternoon sun and wind dry out the shallow roots, and a boronia that dries out rarely recovers.

What is the secret to keeping it alive?

Cool roots and even moisture: gravel mulch, regular water without waterlogging, free-draining slightly acid soil and shelter from the hottest sun.