Mallee Blue

Mallee Blue (Halgania cyanea) is a small, airy native perennial, about 40cm tall and wide, that carries starry, five-petalled flowers in deep blue, mainly from spring into summer. Tougher than it looks, it grows across inland Australia in dry, sandy, poor soils, and it spreads gently by suckers. It is a clean blue for dry gardens, cottage borders and rockeries.

Why you'll love it

• A true deep blue. Starry five-petalled flowers in deep blue are an uncommon colour among native plants, and they stand out in a dry garden.
• Waterwise and frost tolerant. Once established it is drought hardy and frost tolerant.
• Thrives in poor soil. It grows in dry, impoverished sandy ground where fussier plants fail.
• Light and airy. Small narrow leaves and an open habit let it weave through other plants without smothering them.
• Good for wildlife and cottage planting. It suits native, wildlife and cottage-style gardens alike.

Where it works best

Dry borders and rockeries. Plant 50cm apart for a loose drift in a sunny, free-draining bed. Its knee-high size suits the front of a border or the edge of a rockery.

Native and cottage gardens. Mix it with native grasses, daisies and other dry climate plants, where the blue flowers weave between them.

Room to roam. It spreads by suckers up to 2m, so give it space or plant it where gentle spreading is welcome.

Growing Mallee Blue in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. It is drought hardy and frost tolerant, and suits arid and semi-arid, Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. It dislikes humidity. You can grow it in a humid climate, but it will not be as long lived.

Soil. Very free-draining soil in a sunny spot. Poor and sandy soils suit it, and heavy or constantly damp ground does not.

Water and feed. Keep new plants watered until they are established, then leave it to the weather in most dry climate gardens. After pruning, apply a native slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to give the plant shape and bushiness and to encourage more flowering stems.

What to expect when it arrives

Mallee Blue is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, so keep it protected and watered until the roots have filled out, then it grows on happily in a sunny, dry spot.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none right now, 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 drought tolerant plants
• More Australian native plants
• Plants for rockeries
• Our guide to creating a waterwise garden

Common questions

Will Mallee Blue grow in a humid climate?

It will grow, but it dislikes humidity and will not be as long lived. It does best in drier climates and in sandy, free-draining soil.

How far will it spread?

It spreads by suckers up to 2m, although the main plant stays about 40cm tall and wide. Plant 50cm apart for a loose drift.

How do I keep it bushy?

Prune after flowering to shape the plant and encourage more flowering stems, then give it a native slow release fertiliser.