Free Spirit Geraldton Wax

Free Spirit Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Free Spirit') is a compact, free-flowering Australian native that grows up to 2m tall and 1.5m wide. Bright pink buds open to vivid magenta-purple blooms in mid spring over slender needle-like foliage. It is big enough for an informal hedge on a larger block and small enough to slip into a back yard flower bed.

Why you'll love it

• Vivid magenta-purple colour. The flowers are bolder than the whites and soft pinks that most waxflowers offer, and they stand out from a distance.
• Heaps of blooms. It flowers freely, so a mature plant is covered in blossom through mid spring.
• A flexible size. Up to 2m by 1.5m suits an acreage hedge, a mixed native border or a single feature plant.
• Good for the vase. The superb cut flowers last well, and cutting stems doubles as a light prune.
• Hardy in dry gardens. It is drought resistant once established, tolerates light frost and copes with exposed spots.

Where it works best

Informal hedging. On acreage or a big back boundary, plant 1m apart to form a loose, flowering hedge along a boundary.

Flower beds in a back yard. Set one or two plants in a sunny bed with other free draining plants. The magenta flowers contrast well with silver and grey-green foliage.

Seaside and native gardens. It suits sandy, exposed positions and sits comfortably among native shrubs.

Growing Free Spirit Geraldton Wax in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun brings the best flowering, though a partly shaded spot is acceptable. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and arid gardens, tolerates light frost and prefers low humidity, so humid subtropical and tropical gardens are harder going.

Soil. Give it free draining soil. Sand, gravel and light loam are ideal. If your soil is heavy, plant on a raised mound.

Water and feed. Keep new plants mulched and regularly watered for around 12 weeks. Once established they are drought resistant, so a yearly dose of slow release native fertiliser is the only routine job.

Pruning. After flowering, prune lightly to encourage new growth and dense flowering next season. Do not cut into old, leafless wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Free Spirit Geraldton Wax as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, ready to go into the ground or a larger pot. Tube stock is the economical choice for a long hedge, and a hedge of Free Spirit takes a couple of seasons to fill out.

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 plants
• Drought tolerant plants
• How to create a great hedge
• Plants with long lasting blooms

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it as a hedge?

About 1m apart. At that spacing the shrubs meet within a couple of seasons without crowding each other's base.

Will it cope with frost?

It tolerates light frost once established. In colder gardens, plant it in a sheltered, sunny position and keep it dry around the roots.

How long will it live?

Waxflowers are not long-lived shrubs. With sharp drainage and light pruning, expect around eight to ten years of good growth, then replace plants as they become woody.