code: 536
A spectacular, scented foliage, evergreen shrub from Australia
Family: Labiatae
Plant Classification: Half hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 90 cm
Maximum Height: 1.8 meters
Delicate, fragrant, purple-spotted, pale lilac, orchid-like flowers adorn the “Christmas Bush” for six months. Do the flowers look like angels or does it flower at Christmas in Oz? A spectacular, scented foliage, evergreen shrub from Australia.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Distribution and habitat:
lasianthosis found from Queensland to Tasmania. It occurs in a wide range of habitat, from riparian (riverbank) habitats in wet forest to dry subalpine areas. In the Central Coastand Central Tablelands regions of New South Wales it grows in rainforest with such species as yellow sassafras (Doryphora sassafras) and coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum), in wet sclerophyll forest with cedar wattle (Acacia elata), brown barrel (Eucalyptus fastigata), and in dry sclerophyll forest with such species as forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and river oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana).
Cultivation:
A fast growing plant, Prostanthera lasianthos adapts to diverse conditions in the garden, being at home in light or heavy soils and in sunny or shaded positions, even heavy shade. Prostanthera lasianthos is moderately frost-hardy and can withstand some snowfall. It can be pruned into different shapes and old plants can be rejuvenated this way.
