wild AT heart
New hybrids have given wax flowers an update, and also put the spotlight on their culinary attributes, writes ANGUS STEWART
Most Australian gardeners are familiar with the masses of star-like blossoms of the native Geraldton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum), either in the garden or as a long-lasting cut flower. Over the decades that this plant has been in cultivation, many outstanding varieties have been selected, with pink, white or purple flowers.
Along with this old favourite, there are several other Chamelaucium species that are delightful as garden plants, as well as cut flowers. There’s the delicate and small-flowered stirling wax flower
(C. ciliatum), the medium-sized blooms of Esperance wax flower (C. axillare), and the large wax flower (C. megalopetalum). The latter two species have multicoloured flowers, changing colour as they age.
Plant breeders have been hard at work hybridising among the species, creating a range of charming new wax flower varieties. These offer plenty of choice for colour, flower size and seasonality, as well as plant height and density.
It should also be mentioned that the common name can be confusing: wax flower is used for another beautiful but unrelated group of Australian plants, namely the genus Philotheca (formerly Eriostemon), which belongs to the citrus family. Chamelaucium belongs to the same family as the gum tree, Myrtaceae.
getting started
Most wax flower species grow as small to large shrubs. They make great feature shrubs that can also be used as screening plants. They’re well suited to container growing, too.
Wax flowers are found in the wild only in southwest Western Australia, and most do best in the drier summers experienced in the southern parts of Australia. Some species can be grown in climates that have wetter summers when they are given a well-drained position, such as in sandy soil, a raised bed or a large container filled with free-draining potting mix. They prefer to be in a sunny position, but will also grow in semi-shade.
FAR LEFT, LEFT AND ABOVE
Large wax flower (C. megalopetalum); Geraldton wax (C. uncinatum); stirling wax flower (C. ciliatum ).
care & maintenance
Water regularly after planting. Once they are established, wax flowers are relatively drought resistant. Maintain a 5–7cm layer of mulch around roots to help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
All wax flowers respond well to pruning, which should be done as soon as flowering has finished. Make the cuts just behind the spent flowers, or prune back harder if the plant is getting too tall. Cutting the flowers for a vase is an alternative method of pruning. Pick them early for their glossy flower buds, or wait for the bush to burst into showy bunches of long-lasting blooms. Both options stylishly complement many types of feature flowers, such as waratahs and large-flowered lilies.
After pruning, follow up by feeding the plant with a native fertiliser blend, and give the roots a deep soaking with water. This will stimulate a mass of fresh growth that sets the plant up for next year’s flowering.
If you want to propagate wax flowers, take semi-hardwood cuttings at any time from summer through to autumn.
ABOVE & RIGHT
‘Purple Pride’; red and white flowers on
‘My Sweet 16’; ‘Moonlight Delight’ has white flowers in early spring; pink ‘Sarah’s Delight’.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
As if the fabulous flowers weren’t enough, the aromatic leaves of the various species and hybrids also have much to offer. The scent is citrus-like, a bit like lemon myrtle, and the narrow leaves are increasingly being used in food and beverages. The variety ‘Jambinu Zest’ (above) has been selected specifically for culinary use (both leaves and flowers). It was named after the Yamatji word for Geraldton, the plant’s native region.
ANGUS’ to p cks
‘Purple Pride’ is a purple or magenta variation of Geraldton wax. It grows tall under ideal conditions, so keep it at a more manageable height by pruning one third of the plant each year after flowering.
3–4m 2–3m
‘My Sweet 16’ has masses of small, delicate flowers from early to late spring, and they change colour from white to red as they age. By mid-spring, there’s a range of colours on the same bush – the perfect time to bring them indoors as cut flowers. 2m 1.5m
‘Moonlight Delight’ has large, waxy red buds that develop through winter and open in early spring to beautiful, big white flowers with a contrasting red centre, set against bright green foliage.
2m 1.5m
‘Sarah’s Delight’ boasts relatively large, bright pink flowers with crimson centres, which start to open in late winter in warmer areas and continue to flower through spring. It forms a well-rounded shrub.
2m 1.5m