General Description:

Thryptomene is a solely Australian genus of about 40 species occurring in all states. They are generally small shrubs of about 1.5 metres high or less. They have small flowers but these often occur in a massed display which makes species such as T.saxicola and T.calycina popular as cut flowers.

Thryptomene ericea is a small shrub to about 1.5 metres high by a similar width. Leaves are linear to about 6-7 mm long by 1-1.5 mm wide. Like many members of the myrtle family, the leaves contain aromatic oils. The small, white flowers have 5 petals and ten stamens.  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 is 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.  Like other members of this genus it is an excellent cut flower.

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