{"product_id":"roaring-meg-ebony-diospyros-rheophila","title":"Roaring Meg Ebony - Diospyros rheophila","description":"\u003cp\u003eRoaring Meg Ebony (\u003cem\u003eDiospyros rheophila\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage that changes colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Slender glossy leaves on reddish stems emerge bronze, lime and gold, then mature to apple green and deep green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA rare native.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows wild in tropical creeks and riverbeds, so you are planting something few gardens have.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact for a rainforest plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tends to stay quite small, a good size for suburban gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast growing.\u003c\/strong\u003e It puts on growth quickly, which suits hedges and screens that need to fill.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappy in soggy ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows beside creeks in the wild, which makes it a candidate for the wettest corner of the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedges and screening.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in a row for a leafy screen, with the colourful new growth appearing right along the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set a single plant in part shade near a path or entry, where you will see the new growth change colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePond margins and damp corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e It enjoys moisture, so use it beside a pond or in a low, wet spot, as the plant would have grown in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Roaring Meg Ebony in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Damp soil. Work in compost before planting and mulch well to keep the roots moist. It also copes with wetter ground than most shrubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, and water through dry spells. If needed, apply a slow release native fertiliser in autumn and spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune lightly to shape or to keep a hedge dense, tipping the growth rather than cutting into bare wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-native-shrubs\"\u003eBrowse Australian native shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-tropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for tropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/rare-australian-native-plants-guide\"\u003eA guide to rare Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a dry garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt prefers damp soil and part shade. In a dry position it needs regular watering and a thick layer of mulch to stay healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it frost hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It needs a sheltered, frost free position, so it suits the tropical and subtropical north best.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790308376895,"sku":"DIO-RHE-tube","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790308442431,"sku":"DIO-RHE-140MM-P10","price":356.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/roaring-meg-ebony-diospyros-rheophila.jpg?v=1792198657","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/roaring-meg-ebony-diospyros-rheophila","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}