Babingtonia are a medium to small shrub and is sometimes known as ‘Howies Feather Tips’, although this name actually refers to a cultivar developed by Howies Nursery in Queensland. Babingtonia species were formerly classed as Baeckea.
The genus is widely found in eastern Australia from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria.
The cultivars are the most widely grown with ‘Howie’s Sweet Midget’ being a particularly useful low growing mound forming shrub with white flowers. A similar growth habit can be found in Babingtonia virgata nana.
The low growing varieties will stay at around 1m in height, often less and can be lightly pruned to maintain shape.
Babingtonia Varieties
- Babingtonia ‘Howies Feather Tips’ is great for growing near the edge of a garden wall, its drooping habit creating a cascading effect.
- Babingtonia Sweet Midget is a smaller growing variety
- B. virgata nana is a wonderful low growing species. A dense growth habits and masses of small white flowers in spring.
- One other variety to look for is Babingtonia ‘White Cascade’, this variety flowers in both autumn and summer and is reasonably drought and frost tolerant.
- B. similis is found in South East QLD North east NSW. Babingtonia virgata is known as ‘Twiggy Myrtle’.
Care
All species prefer a well drained but moist sunny position.
A slightly raised garden bed, or a position that is ‘hilled up’ a little works well.
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