Flower Encyclopedia: Boronia These are small, woody, evergreen plants, found in south-western Australia. Boronias generally grow in open forests and woodlands. They are only rarely found in rainforests or arid areas. Boronias are at their best in the cooler areas of southern Western Australia, the Dandenongs and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Tasmania and the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
The plant has tiny, wiry stems and needle-like leaves. The lovely bell-shaped flowers have four petals. They may be rosy-carmine, pink or maroon and yellow. The flowers appear in spring.
Boronia is renowned for its distinctive perfumed smell, especially B. megastigma. The flowers of Boronia megastigma are collected for flavor and fragrance use. Unfortunately, they are generally somewhat difficult to grow in cultivation. All species require excellent drainage and part shade. Most Boronias need moist but well-drained soil and dappled light. The area around the plants should be kept well mulched. For success with Boronia, the root zone must not be allowed to dry out.
The plant can survive outdoors in California and other similar, mild climates. Otherwise, they may be grown in cool greenhouses.
Boronias will flourish in four parts peat, two parts loam, and two parts coarse sand in a greenhouse that has a minimum winter temperature of 45 degrees.The downside of this plant is that they are hard to grow and tend to drop dead. They are short lived, but worth growing as a temporary plant just for the wonderful perfume.
Did you know?
· Hybrid Boronias are grown simply for their attractive flowers, rather than their perfume, including ‘Purple Jared’ (brilliant purple flowers), ‘Aussie Rose’ (rose pink flowers) and ‘Lipstick’ (lollypop pink flowers).
