With attractive and long lasting flowers, Dampiera are not that difficult to grow in the garden as long as you have a sunny position and a well drained soil. We have some species such as D.linearis growing well outside of their native range at Karawara Gardens in the Dandenong ranges.
Most species will grow in light shade, however they do tend to get ‘leggy’ and do not flower as well as they do when grown in full sun. They also do not like humidity, so tropical climates do not suit.
They are a wide spread genus. Dampiera are found across Australia, from Western Australia (Dampiera diversifolia and others) to Queensland, so with that sort of spread they are a diverse lot.
With over 50 species in the genus, variety occurs in foliage form, size and flower colour. The flower colour will vary form blue to purple and pale mauve.
How to grow Dampiera – Basic Care
Generally all species require a well drained humus rich soil and a sunny position. They do grow well in containers and will sucker to spread and form a clump over time.
- Awell drianed humus rich soil is essential. Add extra drainage material such as grit or scoria, or raise the garden bed a little to improve drainage if needed.
- Plant most species in a position with at least 6 hours of full sun from morning onwards. Some light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
- Through the first summer water deeply every 2 – 3 weeks, depending on the rainfall.
- In any reasonable soil no extra fertiliser will be needed. In very poor soils, feed Damperia in spring with a light application of native plant fertiliser. (Low Phosphate) – Troforte M Native Slow Release fertiliser is one such fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to provide a cool root run and encourage microbal activity in the soil which is beneficial to all plants.
Dampera sp.aff-cuneata a prostrate form growing to 80cm, full sun to part shade in a well drained soil this makes a great ground cover plant
Dampiera Varieties
A few named cultivars are available as well as the species, look for :
- ‘Mallee mauve’, Dampiera ‘Mallee Skies’ and Dampiera ‘Blue Moon’ are three popular cultivars, all reaching about 50 cm and spreading over 1m or so.
- Dampiera purpurea
- Dampiera linearis is a popular low growing species.
- Dampera diversifolia is a very low growing matt forming species.
- Dampiera stricta ‘Glasshouse Glory’ is from the cooler areas of Queensland and is also popular.
- Dampiera rosmarinifolia will reach around 70 cm in height
