I’ve always been a fan of Phebalium’s and Phebalium nottii is no exception. Possibly the trickiest of the Phebalium’s to grow but also the most spectacular.

Phebalium nottii is a small rounded shrub growing up to 1mt in height.

It’s branchlets are covered with silvery to rust-coloured scales. The leaves are long and thin, with the upper surface being smooth, the lower surface covered with silvery scales.

Flowering occurs in late winter to spring. The flowers are pink to deep mauve, deliate and arranged in umbels of up to six flower. The pink petals are narrow forming a star shaped flower, while the bright yellow anthers attached to the stamens are distinctively offset to one side. (see below pic)

Found naturally growing in woodlands and shrublands of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. As mentioned, it is possibly the most tricky of the Phebalium’s, it likes good drainage, some shade and mulch. If you have heavier soils it can be found as a grafted specimen, or it can be grown in a pot.

Phebalium nottii is rich in nectar and attracts Blue Banded bees and Leafcutter bees. It is highly drought tolerant and can withstand a light to medium frost. You can tip prune after the spring flowering, however do not cut back into old, bare wood. Phebalium’s can struggle to re-shoot from mature, woody stems.

Another Phebalium that you may want to look at is Phebalium squamulosum, I have written about here.