The Geebungs
Persoonia are a group of small shrubs to trees suitable for landscaping purposes. The prostrate P. pinifolius is one form, Persoonia chamaepitys and others are useful as well. Specialist Nurseries stock a number of varieties in sizes from tubestock to advanced plants.
All species have small yellow flowers that are pollinated by bees, and they are related to Banksias and Waratahs.
How to Grow Persoonia – Basic Care
Most species grow as understory plants so require protection from the heat of the afternoon sun. All require a free draining soil.
They will grow under Eucalypts so are a useful landscaping plant.
- Part sun to a little light shade.
- Well drained soil.
- Use a specialist native plant fertiliser in spring.
- Avoid growing in areas with high humidity.
Garden and Landscaping Uses
The most widely grown species is P. chamaepitys. Reaching less than 20cm in height it makes a good ground cover plant. Upright spikes of foliage on a drought tolerant easy care plant. Used in landscaping where it can be allowed to flow over a rock or a low garden wall.
Most popular landscaping varieties are used as ground cover plants. All species are low maintenance requiring little pruning. All are reasonably drought tolerant once established.
5 Persoonia Species to Consider.
- P.pinifolia – Also known as the Pine Leafed Geebung, this is a large shrub that can reach 3 – 4m in height. The narrow needle like foliage give it the common name. Yellow flowers hang in bracts in summer.
- P. chamaepitys – This is a prostrate form sometimes called the ‘Mountain Geebung’. Excellent ground cover plant.
- P. juniperina – Commonly called the ‘Prickly Geebung’. Relatively low growing to around .75m. Flowers appear in the leaf axils.
- P. stradbrokensis – Broad leaves and tall growing, more of a small tree reaching around 5m in height.
- P. lineraris – Narrow leaves and fairly upright in habit, reaching around 3m in height.