{"product_id":"compacta-dwarf-twiggy-myrtle-baeckea-virgata-compacta","title":"Compacta Dwarf Twiggy Myrtle - Baeckea virgata 'Compacta'","description":"\u003cp\u003eCompacta Dwarf Twiggy Myrtle (\u003cem\u003eBaeckea virgata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Compacta') is a hip high native shrub, about 75cm tall and 1m wide, with fine foliage that opens bronze and ages to green. Masses of small white flowers and a tidy habit make it a good pick for a low informal hedge, a rockery or a wildlife garden. It takes clipping well, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBronze new growth.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh shoots come through a rich bronze before maturing to very fine green foliage, so the shrub changes colour as it grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA mass of white flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Small white flowers smother the plant when it is in bloom and lift the fine foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe right size for low hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 75cm tall it makes a knee to hip high hedge that needs far less trimming than a taller species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers and dense foliage attract birds, which makes it a useful addition to a native garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough once settled.\u003c\/strong\u003e Established plants tolerate dry periods and frost, and the compact form suits coastal planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow informal hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs grow together into a continuous knee to hip high line without crowding each other at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small scale and fine texture sit well among stone and gravel. Where you want a spreading cover rather than a hedge, plant 80cm apart along a bank or dry edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and native gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits coastal planting and mixes happily with grevilleas, correas and native grasses, giving a soft flowering base layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClipped shapes.\u003c\/strong\u003e It shapes well, so small domes and topiary forms are possible with a light trim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Compacta Dwarf Twiggy Myrtle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the densest growth. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and established plants tolerate frost and dry spells. In frosty districts, shelter young plants through their first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained soil is the key requirement. In heavy clay, plant on a low mound with coarse compost mixed through, so water drains away from the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, then let it cope with dry periods on its own. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune lightly once a year to encourage dense growth. A second light trim keeps a clipped shape or a hedge line crisp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Compacta Dwarf Twiggy Myrtle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted. Tube stock is the practical way to plant a long run of low hedge, but the plants start small, so allow a couple of seasons for the line to knit together and fill out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants travel upright and settle quickly. Water them in on arrival and expect fresh bronze shoots as the weather warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/low-hedge-plants-under-1-metre-australia\"\u003eLow hedge plants under one metre for front gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-hedging-plants\"\u003eCompare the best hedging plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eMore plants for rockeries\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eBrowse Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a low hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty centimetres apart in a single row. Wider spacing leaves gaps for a season or two, and closer planting only crowds the bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow tall does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 75cm tall and 1m wide, so it stays a low shrub. If you want a taller screen, the species form, Heath Myrtle, reaches 2 to 4m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it frost hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants tolerate frost and dry periods. Young plants have not built that toughness yet, so protect them in their first winter where frosts are heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787165958463,"sku":"BAE-VIR-COMPAC-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/compacta-dwarf-twiggy-myrtle-baeckea-virgata-compacta.jpg?v=1792149379","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/compacta-dwarf-twiggy-myrtle-baeckea-virgata-compacta","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}