Dawn Pearl Geraldton Wax

Dawn Pearl Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Dawn Pearl') is an early flowering Australian native that grows up to 2m tall and 1.5m wide and opens pure white blooms, about 2cm across, from July to September. Each flower has a green centre, and the fine needle-like foliage gives the plant a soft, airy look. It was bred at Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth and is also sold as Dancing Pearl.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers when little else does. White blooms from July to September light up the winter and early spring garden.
• Large, pure white flowers. At around 2cm across with a green centre, the blooms are bigger than those of many waxflowers.
• Cut stems for the house. A few trimmed stems make a fresh white bunch indoors in the middle of winter.
• Bred in Perth. Kings Park Botanic Gardens bred this variety, so it comes from a Western Australian waxflower program.
• Dry-climate toughness. It is drought resistant once established, tolerates light frost and handles exposed sites.

Where it works best

Winter and spring borders. White flowers show up well against dark foliage, so plant it behind low, mid-green shrubs. Allow 1.5m between plants if you want each shrub to stand alone.

Informal hedges. Plant 1m apart in a row for a soft, flowering screen that is at its best from July to September.

Seaside and cottage gardens. It handles exposed positions and light, sandy soil, so it settles into a coastal planting or a relaxed cottage bed.

Growing Dawn Pearl Geraldton Wax in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a sunny to partly shaded position, with full sun giving the best display. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and arid climates. Because it flowers in the cold months, a spot that avoids the worst frost protects the buds. It prefers low humidity.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil. A gravelly or sandy bed is ideal, and heavy ground should be mounded up or replaced with a pot of native potting mix.

Water and feed. Give it a layer of mulch and regular water while the roots get going, which takes around 12 weeks. After that it is drought resistant and needs little help beyond a yearly slow release native fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune lightly as soon as the flowers finish to promote new growth and dense flowering the following season. Keep cuts within the leafy growth and avoid old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Dawn Pearl Geraldton Wax as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, so plant it into free draining soil soon after delivery and keep it moist but never soggy for its first summer. Expect modest flowering in the first year while it builds its framework.

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

• More Australian native shrubs
• Hedging and screening plants
• Designing a native garden for wildlife
• Plants that thrive in poor soil

Common questions

Is Dawn Pearl the same plant as Dancing Pearl?

Yes, it is sold under both names. It is the white waxflower bred at Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth.

When does it flower?

From July to September, which makes it one of the earliest of the waxflowers.

How big are the flowers?

About 2cm across, with a green centre. That is large for a waxflower.