Boronia Tui
Boronia Tui is a compact evergreen shrub grown for its fragrant brown bell-shaped flowers. The blooms are small and nodding, carried in clusters along the stems in late winter to spring, from around July to October. The fine, aromatic foliage adds interest beyond the flowering season. Mature size is typically 0.6 to 1m high and wide, making it a good fit for smaller spaces.
This boronia suits a cottage garden, a native-style planting, or a relaxed informal border. Plant it near a path, doorway, or seating area where the fragrance can be appreciated up close. It pairs well with other fine-textured shrubs such as hebes, leptospermums, and grasses. Massing a few plants together strengthens the scent and the display.
Grow Boronia Tui in a position with morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled light. It needs free-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Avoid heavy, wet ground, which causes rapid decline. Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and moist without waterlogging.
Boronia Tui is frost-tender and is not suited to frost-prone inland areas such as Central Otago or inland Southland without shelter. The toxicity status of boronia to cats and dogs is not clearly established, so households with pets should treat it with caution.
Trimming: Trim lightly straight after flowering finishes in late spring, around October to November. Remove the spent flowering stems by about one third to keep the plant compact and encourage fresh growth. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood as boronia is slow to recover from hard pruning.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. You can remove spent flower clusters to tidy the plant, but leaving them does no harm and the plant will still put on new growth.
Fertilising: Feed lightly in early spring with a low-phosphorus fertiliser suited to natives or Australian plants. Avoid general-purpose fertilisers high in phosphorus, which can stress boronia roots. Do not over-feed.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water regularly through the first summer to establish the plant. Once settled, water in dry spells and always ensure the root zone drains freely between waterings.
Pest Control: Boronia is generally trouble-free but watch for aphids and scale on new growth and stems. Treat early with horticultural oil or a suitable spray before populations build.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil and good airflow are the main defences. Wet or compacted soil leads to Phytophthora root rot, which is the most common cause of sudden boronia decline. Clear fallen leaves and spent material from around the base to reduce fungal risk.
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- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
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