PHILOTHECA formerly ERIOSTEMON. Australia. Shrubs and small trees of the citrus family, many of them quite ornamental. Those we have tried so far are all profusely branched, leafy shrubs with small, variably shaped, usually aromatic leaves and small star-shaped flowers clustered along the upper stems. We are pleased to offer the following, which I hope will be joined by others in the near future. All have been imported and distributed by the U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum. They thrive in sun or light shade, in well drained, non-alkaline soils, with moderate watering (some are drought tolerant). Their hardiness varies.
myoporoides ‘Profusion’. This is a closely branched shrub growing 3-5’ high and nearly round in profile. The stems are neatly lined by narrow 1-2" deep green leaves. The younger shoots carry profuse clusters of starry white flowers opening from pink-tinged buds over several weeks in late winter and spring. Hardy to around 20oF.