Diplolaena

Family: Rutaceae
Common Name: Western Rose

The six species of this genus of small to medium-sized evergreen shrubs, with origins in Western Australia, make excellent garden orna­mentals. They have soft, hairy leaves and pendulous flower heads, their stamens protruding from the surrounding green bracts. This genus is unlikely to be available outside its native Australia.

Species

D. augustifolia, pineleaf western rose, grows to 1 m (3 ft). It has pendulous, red flower heads, encased in green, overlapping bracts, which appear from summer to fall. The narrow, linear leaves have a central groove and rolled edges.

D. grandiflora, large western rose, is an upright shrub, to 2.5 m (8 ft), with egg-shaped, woolly leaves. The large, rose pink flowers, framed by green bracts, appear in winter and spring.

Cultivation

In climates prone to regular frosts, grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in pots of soil-based potting compost. Outdoors, these shrubs do well in a well-drained limestone soil or sandy loam, in a warm, sunny spot. Propagate from seed or by cuttings in fall.

Climate

Zone 9.