Myoporum floribundum, bateae & hybrid update.

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I've had an interest in Japanese gardens for many, many, years and travelled in Japan for two months some years ago, looking at Japanese gardens.

I visited when there was still snow about and then after a break to Korea, returned to Japan, in Cherry Blossum season.

Over the years I've been asked, usually tentatively, if it is possible to create a Japanese garden with Australian plants and I leap with joy, frightening the life out of them as I shriek Yes!!!!!

Over the years I've made a list - ongoing, of Australian plants that would suit a traditional Japanese style garden. I got thinking about it again, today when I was at the Australian Garden...looking at Myoporum floribundum.

At some stage in the future I am planning to have this and various other, lists of plants that are a useful - hopefully - resource for people.

The following collages of three Myoporum species / hybrid, would suit a traditional Japanese style garden of Australian plants.

Not necessarily long-lived, but useful to provide a quick framework.

1/ Myoporum floribundum Weeping Myoporum photographed at the Australian Garden today.

A stunning thing once growing, but in a plant nursery, customers will often think it's wilting and in tell us they are in need of water.

DON'T plant it near a bedroom window. It's breathtakingly beautiful in full flower, but for some people, breath-taking at night, through an open window, when the flowers may smell strongest (to,attract moths) will be akin to deeply inhaling socks, worn after a hot summer bushwalk.

Seriously though, don't let this put you off planting it. Just take care where you locate it. Listed as Endangered in Victoria, but not because it has no friends. Remember also the adage, Conservation through Cultivation.

2/ Myoporum bateae, photographed at our place. Pink flowers and wider, almost horizontal (not vertical) leaves. A beautiful habit. Non-smelly flowers. (Occurs in NSW Nowra / Cobargo districts).

3/ Myoporum 'Snow Drift' photographed at our place and I've added *some images taken at Kuranga Nursery to show its form.

A hybrid between Myoporum floribundum and bateae.

White flowers but broader leaves that hang rather than droop. A lovely shaped large shrub and non-smelly flowers.

All are useful garden plants, but people sometimes confuse the hybrid 'Snow Drift' with Myoporum floribundum.

To tell the difference, remember that the foliage of Myoporum floribundum looks like thin, un-washed hair; lank, and greasy and with not a hint of body and bounce. Ahairdresser's nightmare.

Having said that, it is extraordinarily beautiful in shape and habit and spectacular in flower.

All are recommended.

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