The Lemon Myrtle
Native to Queensland and the coastal regions of Northern NSW, Backhousia citriodora is grown as far south as Victoria.
Commonly known both as the Lemon Scented Myrtle and the Lemon Ironwood, this is a plant that could be used as an alternative to the Lily Pilly as a medium sized hedging plant.
Growth habit is upright and compact with foliage held tightly to form a dense bushy habit. The foliage is used for food flavouring.
Reaching around 5 -20 m in height when in cultivation (much larger in its native rainforest habitat), but easily pruned to size.
Fragrant foliage that is crushed and oil is extracted. Nice shiny foliage and masses of creamy white flowers from spring through to autumn.
Care
Easy to grow and very hardy in a well drained humus rich soil. Backhousis Citriodora is suitable for growing in containers. Being a rainforest tree part shade in hotter areas is advisable. A cool root run will promote growth.
Pruning
When pruned after 1-2 years growth it makes a great hedging plant. Attractive cream – white fluffy flowers in summer through to autumn.
Propagation
Propagation of Backhousis Citriodora is not difficult, cuttings can be taken in early autumn and when a rooting hormone are used the strike rate is good. Also possible from seed.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Backhousis Citriodora.
- Common Name – Lemon Myrtle.
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Soil – Well drained, tolerant of a range of soil conditions.
- Height – To 20 metres, often smaller and easily pruned.
- Spread – To 5 metres on a large specimen.
- Foliage – Deep green and fragrannt.
- Flowers – Creamy White.
- Flowering time – Summer to Autumn.
- Frost tolerant – Light frosts onlywithout leaf burn.
- Drought tolerance – Good once established.
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
ADVANCED AUSTRALIAN TREES
36 Brooklet Rd Newrybar NSW 2479
phone: 02 6687 2165 fax 02 6687 2187
email:jc37@bigpond.net.au
Advanced Native Trees and exotic trees
SARABAH NURSERY
189 Sarabah Road, Sarabah QLD 4275
07 55435808
Wholesale nursery specialising in quality advanced trees & shrubs from 300mm to 150L. Specialists in tree and shrub supply for Urban development and revegetation programmes also contract growing to specifications. We supply & deliver all states.
FIREWHEEL RAINFOREST NURSERY
387 Dorroughby Rd Dorroughby NSW 2480
phone: 0266895246
Rainforest nursery specialising in over 250 species of rainforest trees and shrubs from Northern NSW for revegetation and landscaping. Includes Acacia, Allocasuarina, Davidsonia, Doryanthes, Syzygium, Waterhousia and many more