Long Leaf Wax Flower

Long Leaf Wax Flower (Philotheca myoporoides), long known as eriostemon, is a pretty native flowering shrub that grows 80cm to 1m tall and wide. Pink buds open to starry white flowers in winter and spring, with more through summer and autumn, over long, slender leaves that smell of citrus when crushed. It makes a low informal hedge for a cottage garden.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers in the cooler months. Pink buds open to white stars in winter and spring, then keep appearing here and there for the rest of the year.
• Citrus scented foliage. The long, slender leaves smell fresh when crushed, so plant it near a path.
• A neat, low size. At about 1m by 1m it suits front gardens, borders and small spaces better than a taller shrub.
• An Australian native. It brings a native shrub into cottage plantings without looking out of place.
• Tough once settled. It tolerates frost and drought once established.

Where it works best

Low informal hedging. Plant 70cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs knit into a soft hedge about 1m high within a few seasons.

Cottage garden borders. Use it in the middle of a bed, in groups of three, where the white flowers lift a winter border.

Paths and entries. Plant it where you will pass often, so the citrus scent reaches you when you brush the leaves.

Growing 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 regulate soil temperature 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. A native slow release fertiliser after pruning keeps it growing well.

Pruning. Give it a light prune once flowering has finished to hold the shape. Trim soft growth only and avoid cutting back into bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Long Leaf Wax Flower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. The 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 either into free draining soil, mulch, and water regularly while they establish.

Tubes are grown for us and are not always available. When the tube is sold out, press the notify button on this page and it 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 plants
• Compare the best hedging plants
• How to create a cottage garden
• Pruning for beginners

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it as a hedge?

Plant 70cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs meet within a few seasons without crowding.

Does it need a lot of water?

Water regularly through the first summer, then it copes with drought once established. Good drainage matters more than extra water.

Why is it also called eriostemon?

Eriostemon is the older botanical name for this group. Philotheca myoporoides is the current name for the same plant.