Thryptomene Saxicola
Thryptomene saxicola (A.Cunn. ex Hook.) Schauer
Thryptomene saxicola, the rock thryptomene, is a graceful and resilient Australian native shrub with arching or pendulous branches smothered in tiny pale pink flowers for most of the year. Hardy, adaptable, and wonderfully fragrant, it is one of the most rewarding and versatile native plants in Australian horticulture.
Myrtaceae
Year-round flowering; most abundant from late winter through to spring (February to November); some flowers present in almost every month of the year
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: melaleuca citrinas and blue lace flowers also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Thryptomene saxicola has one of the most enduring histories of any Western Australian native plant in cultivation. Its identity was puzzled over by botanists for many years; the plant was widely sold in nurseries as "Payne's Thryptomene" or Thryptomene paynei for decades, names that turned out to be misnomers for selected forms of T. saxicola. It was first formally described in 1832 from an unpublished description by Scottish botanist Allan Cunningham, and the name was amended by Johannes Conrad Schauer in the journal Plantae Preissianae in 1844. The specific epithet saxicola comes from the Latin meaning "rock-dweller," a reference to its natural habitat among granite outcrops in the Stirling and Eyre districts of south-west Western Australia. The genus name Thryptomene means "made small," referring to the diminutive size of the flowers. What makes this plant remarkable in the garden is the extraordinary longevity of its flowering season, with some flowers present in virtually every month of the year in a suitable climate. Its foliage has a distinct aromatic, spicy scent when crushed, a quality it shares with many members of the Myrtaceae family. Notably, Aboriginal women of the Anangu people in the Uluru region use a related thryptomene species called Pukara, beating the dew-laden bushes on winter mornings to collect sweet nectar-rich water droplets into wooden bowls.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to light shade; flowers most freely in a sunny position
Water
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established; prefers even moisture in well-drained soil; tolerates dry periods but flowers more freely with occasional deep watering; avoid waterlogging
Soil
Sandy loam, Loamy, Clay loam, Well-drained, Acidic to neutral, Adaptable to most well-drained soils
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded position; adaptable to a wide range of soil types
One of the most adaptable of all Western Australian native shrubs; performs well across Mediterranean, temperate, cool temperate, and even subtropical climates
Prune lightly after the main spring flowering by removing spent flowering branches; this maintains density and encourages prolific flowering the following season and is most easily done by harvesting branches for cut flower use
Apply a light application of native-specific fertiliser in spring and autumn, particularly if the plant is being heavily cut for flowers
Propagate from semi-hardwood tip cuttings taken in spring, with bottom heat and rooting hormone; rooting typically takes 4-8 weeks
Highly resistant to the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, which is a significant advantage over many other native plants
The foliage has a spicy, aromatic fragrance when crushed, adding an additional sensory quality to the garden
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Cut flower for floral arrangements (branches with flowers are dainty, long-lasting, and a popular filler in bouquets)
- Informal low hedge or border edging
- Rockery and granite garden specimen plant
- Container growing for courtyards and balconies
- Cottage garden shrub with extremely long flowering season
- Coastal garden planting; tolerant of moderate coastal conditions
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Thryptomene Saxicola
Why is thryptomene saxicola called rock thryptomene?
The common name rock thryptomene comes directly from the species name saxicola, which is Latin for "rock-dweller." In its natural habitat in south-west Western Australia, the plant grows among granite outcrops and rocky hills in the Stirling and Eyre districts.
How long does thryptomene saxicola flower?
Thryptomene saxicola has an exceptionally long flowering season. While it flowers most abundantly from late winter through spring, it typically carries some flowers in almost every month of the year in a suitable climate, making it one of the most continuously flowering of all Australian native shrubs.
Is thryptomene saxicola easy to grow?
Yes, it is widely considered one of the most adaptable and forgiving Western Australian native plants. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, moderate frosts, coastal conditions, and varying humidity levels. It performs well across Mediterranean, temperate, cool temperate, and subtropical climates, making it unusually versatile for a WA native.
What does thryptomene saxicola smell like?
The foliage has a distinctive spicy, aromatic fragrance when crushed, similar to other members of the Myrtaceae family. The flowers themselves have a subtle, delicate scent. This aromatic quality makes it especially appealing as a cut flower and garden plant where branches brush against clothing or skin.
What is Payne's Thryptomene?
Payne's Thryptomene (also written Thryptomene paynei or Thryptomene "Paynei") is not a separate species but a long-used nursery name for selected forms of Thryptomene saxicola. For many decades, cultivated plants were sold under this misnomer. The name refers only to selected garden-worthy cultivated forms of T. saxicola and has no botanical validity.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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