Early Pink Geraldton Wax

Early Pink Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Early Pink') is a medium to large Australian native shrub, about 2.5m tall and 2m wide, with an upright habit and slender needle-like leaves. From winter into spring it is covered in pink flowers, each with a red eye, that open pale and deepen as they mature. It suits feature planting, native mixed borders and large informal hedges.

Why you'll love it

• Winter and spring colour. Flowers open pale pink and deepen to rich pink with burgundy-red centres, so each stem shows two tones, just when little else is in bloom.
• Long lasting cut flowers. Stems keep well in a vase, so one shrub supplies the house as well as the garden.
• Good for wildlife. A native waxflower adds pollen and nectar to a wildlife garden.
• Tough once settled. It tolerates drought and light frost once established, and copes with exposed sites.
• A true Australian native. It sits naturally in a native mixed planting and is a classic of the Western Australian flora.

Where it works best

Feature planting. At 2.5m high and 2m wide it has the presence of a small tree. Give it a sunny, open spot where the winter flowers can be seen from the house.

Large informal hedge or privacy screen. Plant 1.2m apart in a single row. It forms a loose, flowering screen, and light tip pruning after flowering keeps the base dense.

Native mixed plantings. Group it with other natives such as grevilleas and westringia for a layered, wildlife friendly border.

Growing Early Pink Geraldton Wax in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the best flowering, though part shade is tolerated. It prefers low humidity and exposed, airy positions, which suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and drier inland gardens. It tolerates light frost once established. In very humid, wet summer regions, choose the sunniest, best drained spot you have.

Soil. Free-draining soil; sandy soil is ideal. On heavy clay, plant on a mound so water drains away from the roots.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it manages dry spells. Fertilise once a year with a slow release native fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to encourage new growth and dense flowering next season. Avoid cutting into old wood, because waxflowers reshoot poorly from bare stems.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Early Pink Geraldton Wax as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small upright plant and gains size steadily, so a hedge from tubes takes patience, but each plant settles well in free-draining soil.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

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
• Grevilleas to plant alongside
• Hedging and screening plants
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife

Common questions

When does Early Pink Geraldton Wax flower?

From winter into spring. The buds are pale pink and open to deep pink flowers with burgundy-red centres.

Can I cut it back hard?

No. Prune lightly after flowering and avoid cutting into old, leafless wood, which reshoots poorly.

Will it grow in a humid climate?

It prefers low humidity. In humid areas it needs the sunniest, airiest position and very free-draining soil.

Can I use the flowers indoors?

Yes. They make a long-lasting cut flower for the home.