BORONIA crenulata

Fascinating and unusual small bush, perennial and evergreen, rapid growing with a thick and fluffy look, native to Australia: at its maximum development it grows 80 cm tall and a little larger. Well lignified and richly branched from the base, it is formed by numerous delicate herbaceous or semi-woody stems which, dividing repeatedly, orient themselves in every direction in order to give the plant an overall regular, globose, dense but light, ethereal shape. Leaves, arranged oppositely, small, elliptical with obtuse apex and smooth, glabrous and leathery margins, are dark green and, if touched, or even more if wrinkled, emanate a pleasant intense perfume. From late spring to early autumn, tiny flowers appear on the tips of the branches with a starry corolla made up of only 4 petals, in a striking pink shade: if fertilized, they are followed by small fruits that release tiny brown seeds when ripe.

It prefers sunny and bright locations, but it also tolerates partial shade; it adapts to any type of soil, as long as it is well drained. It bears both periods of drought, even protracted ones, and the saltiness typical of the marine winds of coastal areas. It withstands minimum winter temperatures, only a few degrees below zero; therefore, in regions with intense and prolonged cold and simultaneous high atmospheric humidity, it is advisable to plant it in a protected position or under a shelter in a cool and bright environment in winter. In autumn it is necessary to remove dry, broken, damaged, old or cluttered parts, and the branches can be shortened even by 2/3 of their length, in order to guarantee a vegetative restart, rich in new shoots and consequently a subsequent generous flowering. Perfect to be grown on terraces and balconies in medium-sized containers, paying great attention to drainage; in the open ground, arranging several specimens in succession, it creates single specimen borders, but also mixed borders, associating it with other small bushes with complementary flowers and foliage: thanks to its easy maintenance, it can embellish every corner of our garden, remarkable for its color and its pleasant waves of perfume.