Scientific Name: HYPOCALYMMA robustum
Common Name: Swan Peach Myrtle
Alternative Common Name: Swan Peach Myrtle
Family: Myrtaceae
Height: Up to 1m (3′)
Width: Up to 1m (3′)
Description: Small evergreen shrub with short linear leaves and attractive pink flowers which appear in clusters along the stems and produce an outstanding display.
Flowers: Flowers profusely in late Winter and Spring with deep pink to mauve blossoms, often flecked with mauve and tipped with gold, cluster around stems forming dense sprays up to 45cm (18″) long by about 10 mm across, with an attractive scent.
Soil: Any well drained soil types including limestone.
Aspects: Drought and light frost resistant. Full sun to part shade. Has been successfully cultivated in Mediterranean-type climates (dry summer, wet winter) but is not reliable in summer rainfall areas.
Habitat: Open forest and woodland in the south-west of Western Australia, from a little north of Perth to the Albany area. Adaptable to other areas, given suitable soil and growing conditions.
Growing: In warm areas or in a glasshouse sow anytime. In frost prone areas sow when danger of frost is over. Fill pot or seed tray with moist sandy soil, wet thoroughly and compress. Sow seeds thinly on surface and cover with light soil mix to the thickness of the seeds. Add Wildflower Seed Starter granules to soil surface. Keep moist. Cover with clear polythene–remove when seeds start germinating, usuallly around 4-6 weeks). Place in warm shady position to germinate fully and protect from snails and slugs
Landscape: Excellent in open gardens, pots or tubs or as cut flowers.
Cultivation: Pot out to containers when large enough to handle without damage. Keep well watered. Plant out to garden at about 8 cms high, Water in well and water regularly until established, then weekly in dry weather. Light applications of low phosphate slow release organic fertiliser may be used. Annual light pruning will help maintain a dense, bushy growth habit once the plant is 2 years old.
Seed Starter Required: Recommended.
