Granite Boronia

Granite Boronia (Boronia cymosa) is the boronia for tough spots. It forms a low cluster of deep green foliage topped by long, straight maroon stems that carry pale pink, four-petalled flowers from autumn through to spring. Growing to about 1m tall and wide, it comes from the granite cliffs and sandplains of south-west Western Australia, which is why it copes with exposed, coastal and rocky sites better than its fussier relatives.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers held high. The pale pink flowers sit on long maroon stems clear of the foliage, so they are easy to appreciate and easy to cut.
• A long flowering season. Blooms appear from autumn right through to spring.
• Built for exposure. In the wild it grows on rocky granite coastal cliffs and exposed sandplains, so it can tolerate a difficult site.
• Neat low foliage. The deep green leaves form a tidy cluster at the base, and the flower stems rise above it.
• Rockery material. Its dainty scale and tough origins make it a natural for rockeries and gravel gardens.

Where it works best

Rockeries. Tuck it among rocks with gravel mulch around the base. Plant 80cm apart, since each cluster can spread to about 1m.

Coastal and exposed gardens. Its home is coastal cliff and open sandplain, so use it where wind would trouble other boronias. Even so, shelter young plants until they settle.

Native and cottage borders. The long stems lift the flowers above neighbouring plants, so it mixes well with low natives and softly textured perennials.

Growing Granite Boronia in Australia

Position and climate. Sun to part shade, with shelter for the first year. It tolerates a light frost. As a plant of the south-west it does best in Mediterranean and temperate gardens, and humid summers are harder on it.

Soil. Free draining, as on its native cliffs and sandplains. A gravel mulch around the new plant steadies soil temperature and keeps the roots from baking.

Water and feed. Water regularly while it settles, and do not let it dry out or sit waterlogged. After flowering, feed with a slow release native fertiliser and renew the mulch.

Pruning. Prune once flowering has finished. Cutting the flowering stems for the vase reshapes the plant at the same time and encourages new growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Granite Boronia as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once its roots are in cool, free-draining soil. Plants travel upright and are best planted soon after they arrive.

We source tube stock from our grower, and it is not always available. A sold out tube just means the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.

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

• Plants for rockeries
• Plants for coastal areas
• Planning your coastal feature garden
• Browse Australian natives

Common questions

Will it cope with a coastal site?

Granite Boronia comes from coastal cliffs and exposed sandplains and is recommended for coastal gardens and exposed sites. Shelter young plants and keep the water regular until they have settled.

What do the flowers look like?

Pale pink, four-petalled flowers on long, straight maroon stems, held above the foliage from autumn to spring.

Does it need pruning?

Only once a year, after flowering. Cut the flowering stems for indoors and the plant is pruned and ready to regrow.