Bremer Boronia

Bremer Boronia (Boronia clavata) is a rare Western Australian shrub from a single stretch of the Bremer River, and one of the most aromatic plants you can put in a small garden. It grows to about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, hanging lime green bells through spring, with narrow leaves that release a sharp citrus scent whenever you brush past.

Why you'll love it

• Scent on the foliage, not just the flowers. The leaves are aromatic all year, so plant it beside a path or a doorway.
• Unusual green flowers. Pendulous lime green to yellow bells are quieter and more interesting than the usual pink boronia.
• A rare native worth growing. A restricted Western Australian species, so growing it well helps keep it in cultivation.
• Right size for a courtyard. It fits a small garden, a border or a large pot without ever needing to be cut back hard.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A large pot lets you control the drainage completely. Use a coarse native mix in a pot 400mm or wider.

Small gardens and borders. Plant 1m apart for a low informal border, near a path or a seat where the foliage gets brushed.

Coastal gardens. It tolerates salt and coastal exposure, so it suits a sheltered seaside position in the right climate zone.

Growing Bremer Boronia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with shelter from harsh afternoon sun inland. It suits Mediterranean and warm temperate gardens: Perth, Adelaide and much of coastal southern Australia. It takes light frost only, and dislikes humid summer rainfall, so subtropical and tropical gardens are a poor match.

Soil. This decides whether it lives. It demands excellent drainage and a cool root run. Plant on a raised mound of gravelly, sandy soil, never in a hollow, and mulch with coarse gravel or chunky bark.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Apply a low phosphorus native fertiliser lightly in early spring. Like many Western Australian natives it is phosphorus sensitive, and a standard complete fertiliser can kill it.

Pruning. Tip prune lightly straight after flowering each year. Boronias resent hard pruning into old wood, so never cut beyond the leafy growth. Light trimming keeps it compact and extends its life.

What to expect when it arrives

Supplied as tube stock: a young plant with a small root system and a single leading stem. Young plants establish far more reliably than older ones, which resent root disturbance. Expect full size over two to three seasons.

Plant it promptly rather than leaving it in the tube, and tip prune from the start. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• A guide to rare Australian native plants
• Browse Australian native shrubs
• Fragrant plants for the garden
• Plants suited to small gardens

Common questions

Why do boronias die suddenly?

Nearly always root rot from poor drainage or a warm humid summer. Plant on a raised mound in gritty soil and keep mulch off the stem.

Will it grow on the east coast?

In cooler, drier parts of southern and eastern Australia it can do well with sharp drainage. In humid subtropical gardens it is a poor risk, and a sheltered pot is the only sensible approach.

How long do boronias live?

Many are naturally short lived, often five to eight years even when grown well. Annual light tip pruning after flowering is the best way to extend that.