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Waxflower

ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
in Plants
Hello everyone, waxflower has been a favourite of mine for a while, compounded by the fact that we had it in our wedding (a few months ago!) flowers and my button hole.. I asked when I was at RHS Wisley on Saturday but they didn't have it, and said it was more just a florists thing.. 

Low and behold I found one potted in M&S at lunchtime when buying some food.. so I've nabbed it and it's having a drink now.

I had intended to:

1. Repot into a nice pot suitable for both the patio and inside
2. Put it outside when it's not blowing a gale or snowing (like it is now)
3. Probably bring it back indoors when it gets nippy at night, then over winter

I'm guessing it'll not survive in a border anywhere? - I'm London/South East so mild compared to other areas, but as I understand it's from Australia or something!
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Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited April 2022
    It turns out there are are a couple of things (at least) with the common name wax flower.
    The one I know of is Hoya which is a house or conservatory plant in the UK https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/hoya/growing-guide . The fact that you found one in M&S house plants department suggests it might be this. Definitely not hardy outside in the UK, min. temperature 10 C or 16 C depending which variety it is, so not for outside except possibly temporarily in the summer.
    but your mention of Australia makes me wonder if it's Chamelaucium which Mr. Google says is also called wax flower https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/62627/chamelaucium-uncinatum/details. and is apparently not quite as tender. I couldn't grow it outside here but if you're in a very mild and sheltered place you might get away with it.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98

    I reckon it's the second one. Sounds like mostly or entirety indoors then. That's cool :) we still have space despite my wife's orchid habit! 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Looks like it, with the needle-like leaves :) . Maybe it could have a summer holiday outside.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    edited April 2022
    I think what it is is called Geraldton waxflower in Australia. Chamelaucium uncinatum. It is tender, so grow it in a large pot outdoors in summer, and keep it frost free in winter.  Geraldton in WA never gets frosts.
    It needs a sandy well drained soil.
  • JessicaSJessicaS Posts: 870
    Im so jealous... been after that for ages and its been sold out everywhere! Ive always loved it and such a nice scent too. Ive done a bit of flower arranging and yes, Chamelaucium is the one popularly used. Bees will go mad for it! Itll be happy outside in summer. Do post when it flowers.

    Just to add If you like that youd probably like new zealand tea tree as well, leptospernum - similarish sort of look and feel and bees love it (its the plant for manuka honey). Ive had that as a stand in! My ones are fine outside in winter mulched.
  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
    leptospernum - wow, that's *exactly* the sort of thing I love! Seems hardier too, sorry, what does winter mulched mean? I 100% need to find out more about leptospernum!! 

    Pictures, you bet!

    Sandy well drained soil.. So, the pot from M&S.. Sounds like I should repot, in a pot eith holes, adding what just normal sand?! I may have some vermiculite or perlite from my chilli days somewhere.. 
  • JessicaSJessicaS Posts: 870
    I thought you might like it! Yes mine are outside all year and hardy. Ive put a layer of strulch round mine as a bit on an extra winter protection but its not gone below -5 here. Its standing wet more than cold they dislike. They are quite like lavender in habit, they like well drained sunny spot, slow growing but not hard to grow. Be lovely in a pot too. Ive got 4, and will be adding more! :smiley: comes in pinks and whites, double and single.

    I just went through my pics from last summer for you, heres one of mine, single flowered :)

  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
    That's well nice, 100% making my list!

    Plus I now know what strulch is too! 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Definitely use a lot of sand. The "soil" in WA is practically pure red (lot of iron)sand, they call the Western Australians  "sand gropers"  The native flora grow in it quite happily with next to no nutrition.
  • ChilliBobChilliBob Posts: 98
    This sounds a bit basic but is this just any old sand?! Previous occupants for example left a bag of builders sand behind.. Guessing this might have some chemicals in though? 
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