Lomatia
- Height × spread
- 3m – 4.6m × 3m – 4.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are borderline tender plants that mostly come from Australia, though a few forms come from South America. They cover both shrubs and trees, but are unlikely to achieve more than a few metres in height in the UK. They are sometimes found growing outside in warmer parts of the country, often with the protection of a warm wall. They are quite variable in appearance. Some of them have a rather heath like appearance, Lomatia polymorpha for example, while others have quite solid looking leaves, for example the somewhat holly-like foliage of the cream flowered Lomatia illicifolia. Airy, fine foliaged Lomatia myricoides has fragrant cream flowers. Ferny foliaged Lomatia ferruginea has showy four petalled flowers in shades of red and yellow.
- Flower colour
- Green, Orange, Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Cube
- Height
- 3m – 4.6m
- Spread
- 3m – 4.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.