Prime pimelea time

For dazzling displays of pompom-like flower heads boldly displayed on compact shrubs, look no further than the genus Pimelea, which is native to Australia and New Zealand.

The Australian species in this genus, known by the common name rice flower, is both stunning and versatile. The delicate tubular flowers grow in ball-shaped clusters and appear in a wide range of colours, from white and yellow to pinks and vibrant red. Some also have a delicate fragrance. The mass of flower heads attracts pollinators and the blooms make great cut flowers.

Pimeleas can add colour and texture to rock gardens, borders and native plantings. Their vibrant flowers and compact growth complement other drought-tolerant native species such as grevilleas and kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos spp.). They are also quite at home among non-native pretties including salvias and lavender, and can be interspersed with these and grass-like foliage plants. These combinations create a wildlife-friendly landscape that highlights the contrasting foliage and flower forms of the different plant groups. Pimeleas can also be grown in containers, where their flowers can be showcased up close.

Pimelea species range from subtle to spectacular, with several lesser-known species worth seeking out at specialist native plant nurseries. The stunning rose banjine (P. rosea), the bunjong (P. spectabilis) and the yellow-flowered and delightfully perfumed scented banjine (P. suaveolens) all make beautiful feature shrubs.

To select the best pimelea for your garden, it’s important to match species that come from a similar climate to your own, given that they occur from the tropical north to Tasmania and many places in between.

For southern Australian gardens, which mostly have dry summers and cool, moist winters, there are some fantastic options.

• Pink rice flower (P. ferruginea) is the best-known pimelea in cultivation. Native to coastal areas of southern Western Australia, this compact shrub grows to about 1.2m high and 1m wide, with bright green leaves and clusters of deep pink or white flowers in spring. ‘Magenta Mist’ and ‘Snowball’ are outstanding cultivars. Pink rice flower is great for adding bold splashes of colour and texture to gardens and coastal landscapes.

• Bushman’s bootlace (P. nivea) is an upright shrub from Tasmania. Growing to 1.5m high and 1m wide, it has stringy bark (hence the common name) and its glossy, dark-green leaves have a silvery underside. Prolific clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers appear in early spring.

• If you are up for a challenge, consider the spectacular qualup bell (P. physodes). With large tubular flowers enclosed by red bracts that create bell-shaped blooms, this species looks unlike any other rice flower. Native to Western Australia, it’s an upright shrub growing to about 1.2m high and 0.5m wide. It is prone to root rot so needs very well drained soil. Native plant enthusiasts have been grafting qualup bell onto hardy rootstock to increase its longevity, and it is often grown in containers to provide the best growing conditions.

There are various species that thrive in more humid areas such as Brisbane and Sydney while still being suitable for the southern states.

• The common rice flower (P. humilis) is a low-growing shrub known for its dense clusters of small, delicate white to pale pink flowers and green, lance-shaped leaves. Its compact form makes it a good groundcover or great rockery plant, adding subtle beauty and texture to the landscape.

• Another reliable performer from eastern Australia is slender rice flower (P. linifolia), a graceful open shrub growing to 1.2m high and 1m wide with narrow, linear leaves and small, fragrant white or pale pink flowers.

Rice flowers perform best in full sun or part-shade and prefer well-drained, slightly acidic, sandy or loamy soils. Avoid growing in heavy clay soils, which can lead to root rot. If you have this soil type, grow them in pots instead. Pimeleas are drought-tolerant once established, but benefit from regular deep watering during dry times in the first year to help them develop deep roots. When planting, mix the recommended amount of a low-phosphorus native fertiliser into the soil used to backfill the planting hole.

Trim annually after flowering by lightly pruning behind the spent blooms. This will result in a more compact shrub and more prolific flowering.

Header image: Pictured here is the pink rice flower (Pimelea ferruginea), the best-known pimelea in cultivation. Photo by Angus Stewart