Darwinia is a genus of about 70 Australian native shrub species known for their vibrant bell-like flowersand excellent use in native gardens, containers, and low hedges. Native principally to Western Australia, with ranges into South Australia, Victoria and NSW, these plants are valued for showy blooms, aromatic foliage, and drought-tolerant forms ideal for landscaping and biodiversity gardens.
They do make excellent garden plants and many have outstanding flowers.More often the grafted types are better in landscaping as they have more tolerant root systems.
Many species have bell shaped flowers and the name of Mountain Bells is commonly applied.
Although Darwinia can be a little tricky to grow from seed, that can be grown from cuttings and it is the grafted varieties that are best suited to garden use.
They vary in form from low growing prostrate forms to more erect shrubs. Darwinia citriodora ‘Seaspray’ and Darwinia virescens (Murchison Darwinia) are low growing examples, while Darwinia meeboldii (Cranbrook Bell) is one of the taller types.
Landscaping Uses For Darwinia
Many species are grown for the showy flowers, suited to native gardens as well as container growing.
Some such as D.citrodora which is commonly called the ‘Lemon Scented Darwinia’ are also suited for growing as low hedging plants.
Planting Grafted Darwinia Species
Usually grated varieties are grafted very close to ground level, so care needs to taken not to bury the graft itself. Darwinia macrostegia (Mondurup Bell) is one of the most commonly available grafted varieties and the Phillip Vaughan variety ‘Stripey’ is a standout.
Planting Darwinia Successfully
- Choose full sun or part shade (some species tolerate light shade).
- Ensure very good drainage (low tolerance of soggy soil).
- Plant grafted plants with the graft just above soil level.
- Water regularly through establishment but avoid overwatering.Australia)
- Add mulch to encourage cool root run if in warm climates.
- Light pruning after flowering encourages shape and repeats blooms.
Popular Darwinia species and Cultivars
- D.macrostegia – Brilliant flowers red and white striped and the plant is often called the ‘Mondurup Bell’. Weeping shrub to around 1m.
- D.meeboldii – Also known as the ‘Cranbrook Bell’, white and red flowers, bell shaped on a bushy shrup to 3m in height.
- D.purpurea – Deep red to purple flowers, usually more red. Low growing spreading shrub to 1m.
- D. oxylepis – Attractive red flowers, on a bushy shrub to 1.5m in height.
- D. citriodora – Known as the Lemon Scented Darwinia, for the fragrant foliage. Small rosey red flowers. Both upright and prostrate forms are available.
- D. carnea – From Western Australia with very attractive green bell shaped flowers flushed with red, some cultivars have bright red flowers
