Not only is this plant one of the best bush foods, it is also a beautiful ornamental with its glossy green aromatic leaves and fluffy white flowerheads. Whilst it is capable of growing into a small to medium sized tree, it can be kept as a shrub through regular pruning of the growing tips. This also serves to harvest the plant for its culinary uses for flavouring all sorts of dishes. Plant in a sunny spot with well drained soil and feed and water regularly during the warmer months to give yourself plenty of shoots. A rainforest tree from north NSW and south Queensland. Can take light frosts, but foliage will be damaged.
Backhousia citriodora – Lemon Myrtle
Plant Information
Plant Type - Small tree
Common Name - Lemon Myrtle
Scientific Name - Backhousia citriodora
Family - Myrtaceae
Cultivar Name -
Other Common Name -
Minimum Height - 3
Maximum Height - 20
Minimum Width - 1
Maximum Width - 5
Flower Colour - White, Cream
Flowering Time - Summer, Autumn
pH Level - Acid, Neutral
Soil Type - Sandy, Clay, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil
Plant Environment - Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Climate Zone - Sub-tropical, Warm temperate
Light - Sunny, Light shade, Half shade
Growth Habit - Evergreen, Dense foliage
Life Span - Perennial
Soil Moisture - Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Propagation Method - Seed, Softwood cutting, Semihardwood cutting, Layering
Frost Tolerance - Tolerates light frost
Plant Usage - Hedge, Screen, Fragrant
Special Uses - Edible, Tea, Fragrant oils, Street tree, Erosion control, Honey producing plant, Pollution tolerant, Playground friendly
Attracts Wildlife - Bees, Nectar eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects
Angus Cultivar -