Roaring Meg Ebony

Roaring Meg Ebony (Diospyros rheophila) is a rare native rainforest shrub, related to ebony and persimmon, grown for glossy foliage that opens bronze, lime and gold before deepening to green. Unlike most rainforest species it stays quite small, around 3m in a garden, which suits a suburban block. It grows fast and prefers a damp, sheltered spot in part shade.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage that changes colour. Slender glossy leaves on reddish stems emerge bronze, lime and gold, then mature to apple green and deep green.
• A rare native. It grows wild in tropical creeks and riverbeds, so you are planting something few gardens have.
• Compact for a rainforest plant. It tends to stay quite small, a good size for suburban gardens.
• Fast growing. It puts on growth quickly, which suits hedges and screens that need to fill.
• Happy in soggy ground. It grows beside creeks in the wild, which makes it a candidate for the wettest corner of the garden.

Where it works best

Hedges and screening. Plant 1m apart in a row for a leafy screen, with the colourful new growth appearing right along the line.

Specimen planting. Set a single plant in part shade near a path or entry, where you will see the new growth change colour.

Pond margins and damp corners. It enjoys moisture, so use it beside a pond or in a low, wet spot, as the plant would have grown in the wild.

Growing Roaring Meg Ebony in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade in a sheltered, frost free position. It grows naturally in tropical creeks, so it suits tropical and subtropical gardens. It is frost tender, so in cooler districts plant it only in a protected, frost free corner or a large pot.

Soil. Damp soil. Work in compost before planting and mulch well to keep the roots moist. It also copes with wetter ground than most shrubs.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, and water through dry spells. If needed, apply a slow release native fertiliser in autumn and spring.

Pruning. Prune lightly to shape or to keep a hedge dense, tipping the growth rather than cutting into bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Roaring Meg Ebony as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical choice for a hedge, and the potted packs give you a larger plant to start with.

Our tube stock is supplied by our grower, so availability comes and goes. If the tube shows as sold out when you visit, use the notify button on the page and we will email 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

• Browse Australian native shrubs
• Hedging and screening plants
• Plants for tropical climates
• A guide to rare Australian native plants

Common questions

How big does it get?

It stays quite small for a rainforest plant, and around 3m is a reasonable expectation in a garden. Growing conditions affect the final height, and light pruning keeps it tidy.

Can I grow it in a dry garden?

It prefers damp soil and part shade. In a dry position it needs regular watering and a thick layer of mulch to stay healthy.

Is it frost hardy?

No. It needs a sheltered, frost free position, so it suits the tropical and subtropical north best.