Babingtonia virgata – Heath Myrtle

Babingtonia virgata is also known as Baeckia virgata

Babingtonia virgata
Babingtonia virgata

A hardy and adaptable mid sized shrub with beautiful long weeping foliage that gets covered with small white flowers in mid December. It is a great screening plant as it is dense growing, and can be cut back very hard to rejuvenate and to keep it to size. Frost and drought tolerant, and does well in most soils, from very damp to dry. Takes full sun to part shade. A decorative garden plant leading up to Christmas, as it looks like it is snow covered. Attractive to butterflies, decorative moths and other nectar loving insects. It used to be known as Baeckia virgata.

Family : Myrtaceae

Cultivar Name:

Plant Type : Small shrub, Large shrub

Width : 3

Flowering Time : Summer

Soil Type : Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil

Climate Zone : Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean

Growth Habit : Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading, Weeping

Soil Moisture : Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage, Boggy poorly drained

Special Uses : Bonsai, Erosion control, Honey producing plant, Bird nesting plant, Pollution tolerant, Fast growing, Playground friendly

Scientific Name: Babingtonia virgata

Common Name : Heath Myrtle

Height : 4

Flower Color : White

pH Level : Acid, Neutral, Alkaline

Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Cottage garden, Flower garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant

Light : Sunny, Light shade, Half shade

Lifespan : Perennial

Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost

Attracts Wildlife : Bees, Butterflies, Other insects