Intermediate
skill rating
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Backhousia citriodora (Sweet verbena tree)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
6m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Backhousia citriodora
Other names
Sweet verbena tree, Lemon ironwood, Lemon-scented myrtle , Lemon myrtle, Lemon scented ironwood, Lemon scented myrtle
Genus
Backhousia Backhousia
Species
B. citriodora - B. citriodora is a tender, upright, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, broadly lance-shaped, dark green leaves, reddish-brown when young, and, from summer into autumn, umbels of creamy-white flowers with conspicuous stamens.
Backhousia citriodora is: Evergreen
Habit
Upright
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Reddish-brown in Spring; Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. If grown indoors, may need to pruning back to restrict size.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
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Where to grow
Backhousia citriodora (Sweet verbena tree) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Hedging/Screens, Indoor, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in frost-free areas in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in sun. Under glass, grow in equal mix loam, peat, & sand with ventilation in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Top-dress in spring.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Backhousia citriodora
Other names
Sweet verbena tree, Lemon ironwood, Lemon-scented myrtle , Lemon myrtle, Lemon scented ironwood, Lemon scented myrtle
Genus
Backhousia Backhousia
Species
B. citriodora - B. citriodora is a tender, upright, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, broadly lance-shaped, dark green leaves, reddish-brown when young, and, from summer into autumn, umbels of creamy-white flowers with conspicuous stamens.
Native to
Australia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer; White in Autumn
Foliage
Reddish-brown in Spring; Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. If grown indoors, may need to pruning back to restrict size.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Backhousia citriodora (Sweet verbena tree) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 6m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Hedging/Screens, Indoor, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in frost-free areas in fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in sun. Under glass, grow in equal mix loam, peat, & sand with ventilation in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Top-dress in spring.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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