Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
CREATE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS
Boronias hate humidity and soil that retains moisture (clay). Too much moisture in the air encourages soil-borne fungi that causes the lower stems and crown to rot. There is little you can do once this begins and the plant will eventually wilt and die. Too much moisture in the ground can cause root rot. Boronia roots are relatively shallow and, while they need watering, they don’t need it hanging around their roots as happens in clay soils.
survival Tips
• Lower the humidity around the base of your boronias with a layer of gravel or rocks. This helps keep the roots cool.
• Avoid the pooling of moisture around the roots by putting a layer of pea gravel in the base of the hole before you plant in the garden.
• Recent grafted boronias have developed some resilience and are available to purchase through specialist native plant nurseries.
Care for boronias
Climate Best grown in warmer, coastal areas. Aspect East or north-east under dappled sunlight, with protection from winds and afternoon sun. Soil Very well-drained, slightly acidic. Enrich with organic matter, well mixed into the soil but not too close to the roots. Watering Water regularly; most boronias have weak and shallow roots that can dry out in summer. Keep up watering when the flowering begins, especially if winter has been dry. Feeding Apply a small amount of slow-release fertiliser after flowering has finished. Pruning Regularly cut flowers to encourage new growth. Trim plant by about a third after it finishes flowering in early summer to keep it compact.
8 MIGHTY WHITE
The red boronia (B. heterophylla) is hugely popular with the cut flower trade, but you can go down a different path and grow the white form, ‘Ice Charloe’, which is equally beautiful.
9 WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Check out Western Australia’s wildflower season, when boronia flourishes naturally with the wedge pea (Gompholobium sp).
10 BROWN IS BEAUTIFUL
Whoever heard of a brown flower? The flashes of gold in the flowers of the brown begonia (B. Megastigma) hint at its intense perfume.