General Description:

Chamelaucium is a genus of about 25 species (some yet to be formally named) all of which occur only in south western Australia. They are generally small to medium shrubs with narrow leaves and ‘tea-tree’ like flowers.

Chamelaucium axillare is a small to medium, erect shrub  from 0.5 to 2 metres high. The narrow, linear leaves are 10-20 mm long and about 2 mm wide with recurved margins. They are highly aromatic when crushed. The flower buds are usually pink and open to white flowers about 20 mm in diameter in the upper leaf axils.  Flowering occurs in spring and summer.

Although native to a dry summer climate, Esperance Waxflower has been cultivated successfully in more humid, temperate areas but cannot be said to be easy to maintain for long periods in those areas. The species is undoubtedly more adaptable to areas of dry summers. It requires moist, well drained soils in sun or semi shade. Once established, plants can be expected to tolerate periods of extended dryness.

Propagation from seed is difficult but cuttings of firm, current seasons growth usually strike readily.