General Description:

Kardomia is a small genus comprising 6 species which were previously classified in the genus Babingtonia.  The 6 species are found in Queensland and New South Wales and are generally small shrubs of about 1.5 metres high or less.

Kardomia jucunda is a small to medium sized shrub to about 2.5 metres high by a similar width. It was previously classified as Baeckea jucunda and Babingtonia jucunda. The small leaves are up to about 3 mm long by 1 mm wide. Like many members of the myrtle family, the leaves contain aromatic oils. The small, white flowers have 5 petals and 5 stamens and are about 6 mm in diameter.  They appear in the leaf axils mainly in spring to early summer but flowers will sometimes be seen at other times of the year.

This species has proven to be hardy in well drained soils in a sunny or lightly shaded location and it is tolerent of moderate frosts. The plant responds well to pruning and this helps to develop a well-shaped and attractive bush.

Propagation from seed is unreliable. However, cuttings of hardened, current seasons growth should strike readily.

 

 

Plant profile image

Kardomia jucunda
Photo: Murray Fagg – Australian National Botanic Gardens

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