Flower Girl Long Leaf Wax Flower

Flower Girl Long Leaf Wax Flower (Philotheca myoporoides 'Flower Girl') is a taller form of this pretty native shrub, reaching about 1.5m tall and wide. Pink buds open to starry white flowers in winter and spring and keep appearing on and off through summer and autumn, over long, slender dark green leaves that smell of citrus when crushed. It makes an informal hedge for native and cottage gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Colour in the cooler months. Pink buds open to white stars in winter and spring, when little else is in bloom, with more flowers scattered through the rest of the year.
• Citrus scented leaves. Crush one of the slender leaves and it releases a fresh citrus smell.
• A soft, informal hedge. At 1.5m by 1.5m it forms a relaxed flowering screen rather than a clipped wall.
• An Australian native. It suits native gardens as well as cottage planting, and you may still see it sold under its old name, eriostemon.
• Tough once settled. It tolerates frost and drought once established.

Where it works best

Informal hedging. Plant 1m apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs touch within a few seasons and make a soft, flowering hedge about 1.5m high.

Cottage and native borders. Group three or five plants in the middle or back of a bed, where the winter flowers can be seen from a window or path.

Entries and sunny front gardens. Plant it beside a path or gate where you can brush the leaves and catch the citrus scent.

Growing Flower Girl Long Leaf Wax Flower in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade, with dappled sunlight ideal. It tolerates frost and drought once established, and suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Good drainage matters most, because persistently wet ground is what troubles it.

Soil. Free draining soil. Mulch after planting to retain moisture and moderate soil temperatures while the young plant establishes.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer while it settles, then let rainfall do most of the work. After pruning, feed with a native slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. A light prune once flowering has finished helps give the plant shape. Stick to light trims of soft growth and avoid cutting back into bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Flower Girl Long Leaf Wax Flower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. The 140mm and 200mm pots arrive larger than the tube and give a hedge line sooner, while the tube is the economical way to plant a long run. Plant any of them into free draining soil, mulch, and water regularly while they establish.

The tube comes from our grower, so it is not always in stock. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page 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

• More Australian native shrubs
• Browse hedging and screening plants
• Designing a native garden for wildlife
• Pruning for beginners

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it as a hedge?

Plant 1m apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs meet within a few seasons without crowding at the base.

When does it flower?

The main flush is winter and spring, with flowers appearing on and off through summer and autumn. Pink buds open to starry white blooms.

Is eriostemon the same plant?

Yes. Eriostemon is the old botanical name for this group, and Philotheca myoporoides is the current one. Both names refer to the same plant.