I have been admiring this lovely screening hedge on a busy road for years, always driving by too busy to stop when it is in flower. But at last I made the time to stop and photograph this row of Baeckea virgata in full festive flower last week, I think it rivals NSW Xmas bush when it is in flower (white) and comes close to the Melaleuca ‘Snow in Summer’.

This is the parent of the much loved Baeckea virgata Dwarf but now it is time for this large feature shrub to shine. Growing upto 4 metres high x 3 metres wide this weeping shrub makes an excellent privacy screen.

This species is also known as Babbingtonia virgata or Sannantha virgata and should be seen in native gardens more often. It has a soft weeping habit and when in flower it appears to be covered in puffy clouds.

Baeckea virgata is quick growing and flowers during the Summer months, it can be pruned to increase its density or to lift its canopy.

Due to its prolific flowering period it makes an excellent attractant for pollinators and small insect eating birds. Baeckea virgata will happily grow in full sun to part shade, doesn’t mind windy coastal sites and is tolerant of heavy clay soils and temporarily wet feet. This makes it an extremely hardy and useful species.

Baeckea virgata is sometimes known as Slender Tea Tree which is quite apt as the flowers are very similar in shape and quantity however much smaller. This species would also make a great small feature tree, offering a patch of shade in a small garden or complementing other more upright species.

So if you are looking for a super hardy quick growing small weeping native tree which will show off during the Christmas period this may be the answer.