Morning Delight Geraldton Wax

Morning Delight Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Morning Delight') is a rounded, fine-leaved native shrub, up to 2m tall and 1.5m wide, that flowers when most gardens are asleep. Masses of milky-white flowers appear from winter onwards. It was developed with the breeding program at Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth and suits native and mixed gardens as well as large containers.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers from winter. Milky-white blooms start in winter and carry on, so the garden has life in the coldest months.
• A rounded, tidy habit. The fine evergreen foliage forms a neat, rounded shape that looks good even before the flowers open.
• Mixes with anything. Milky white suits native borders, cottage beds and mixed plantings equally well.
• Great for the vase. The flowers cut well, and a bunch inside in winter is a bonus.
• Dry-climate tough. Established plants cope with drought and light frost.

Where it works best

Native and mixed borders. Use it as a feature shrub at 1.5m spacing, or plant a row 1m apart for a loose informal hedge. The pale flowers lift dark corners in winter.

Large containers. A big pot with free draining native mix works well, providing a flowering shrub for a courtyard. Keep it in full sun.

Winter gardens. Place it where you will see it from a window, so you can enjoy the flowers in the colder months.

Growing Morning Delight Geraldton Wax in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun to part shade. It suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and arid climates and tolerates light frost, though winter flowers can be marked by hard frost, so avoid frost pockets. It prefers low humidity.

Soil. Free draining soil is essential. Mound clay soils, or grow the plant in a pot of coarse native potting mix.

Water and feed. Give it mulch and regular water for the first 12 weeks. Afterwards it is drought resistant, and one yearly feed with a slow release native fertiliser is enough.

Pruning. Prune lightly after flowering to encourage new growth and a dense flower set next season. Do not cut into old, leafless wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Morning Delight Geraldton Wax as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant, which will establish quickly in the warm months. Plant promptly into free draining soil, mulch around the stem and keep it evenly moist through its first summer.

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

• Browse Australian natives
• Native shrubs for Australian gardens
• Frost tolerant plants in Australia
• Plants for native bees

Common questions

When does Morning Delight flower?

From winter onwards, with milky-white flowers continuing into spring. It is one of the earliest waxflowers.

Will frost damage the flowers?

It tolerates light frost, but hard frost can mark winter blooms. Plant it in a sheltered, sunny spot away from frost pockets.

Is it a good cut flower?

Yes, the milky-white flowers cut well. Trim stems in the cool of the morning and stay within the leafy growth.