Backhousia citriodora – Lemon Myrtle
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- Backhousia citriodora – lemon myrtle
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- Backhousia citriodora – lemon myrtle
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- Backhousia citriodora – lemon myrtle
Not only is this plant one of the best bush foods, it is also a beautiful ornamental with its glossy green aromatic leaves and fluffy white flowerheads. Whilst it is capable of growing into a small to medium sized tree, it can be kept as a shrub through regular pruning of the growing tips. This also serves to harvest the plant for its culinary uses for flavouring all sorts of dishes. Plant in a sunny spot with well drained soil and feed and water regularly during the warmer months to give yourself plenty of shoots. A rainforest tree from north NSW and south Queensland. Can take light frosts, but foliage will be damaged.
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Backhousia citriodora |
| Common Name: | Lemon Myrtle |
| Plant Type: | Small tree |
| Height: | 3 ~ 20 metres |
| Width: | 1 ~ 5 metre |
| Flower Colour: | White, Cream |
| Flowering Time: | Summer, Autumn |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Coastal garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Sub-tropical, Warm temperate |
| Light: | Sunny, Light shade, Half shade |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Dense foliage |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage |
| Propagation Method: | Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting, Layering |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Hedge, Screen, Fragrant |
| Special Features: | Edible, Tea, Fragrant oils, Erosion control, Honey producing plant, Pollution tolerant, Playground friendly |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Bees, Nectar eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects |
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WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.