Prostanthera lasianthos
Victoria Christmas bush
A variable, tall or oval-shaped shrub to 4m, with narrowly ovate, strongly menthol-scented leaves. In late spring or early summer it bears branched clusters of scented, finely hairy white or pale purple flowers, 2cm across, with purple or orange markings in the throat
Other common names
Victoria dogwoodVictorian dogwood
see moreVictorian mint tree
Australian lilac
Australian mint tree
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Prostanthera are bushy evergreen shrubs with small, dark green, highly aromatic leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of cup-shaped white blue or purple flowers in late spring or early summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost (JI No. 2) in full light. When in growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun at the base of a warm wall
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See pruning group 8
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Get involved
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