Myoporum

Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) are small sprawling evergreen native shrubs usually no more than 30cm high. They are grown for their pretty white or pink flowers for much of the year.

These low-growing plants form dense growth as they spread across the ground and down rockeries and retainer walls. Individual plants can spread 1-3m in width. The small leaves are bright green.

With star-shaped, small pink or white flowers, boobialla is attractive to beneficial insects including bees. It also adds colour to both native and modern-style gardens as a dense groundcover. Plants can be grown in the ground in well-drained soil or in containers.

Myoporum is a fast-growing and easy-care plant that forms a dense cover that is like a dense weed-deterrent mat. They are drought and frost-tolerant once established.

There are a variety of myoporums available in pink, white and purple flowers. Check with your hardware or garden centre for a variety that will suit your local environment. Here are a few to consider:

  • ‘Coarse Pink’ has starry pale lilac-pink flowers that light up an area from spring to summer. It is different to the other forms of pink myoporum with fatter leaves, which gives it a more rugged look. Use it in beds and borders.
  • ‘Yareena’ is an attractive Aussie native ground cover with thick and woody stems. These stems are covered by deep green foliage in spring and summer. It is a drought and frost-tolerant variety.
  • ‘Purpurea’ is a prostrate shrub with glossy purple leaves that contrast with a mass of white, honey-scented and waxy small flowers that appear along the stem from spring throughout summer.

Growing conditions

Aspect Creeping boobialla grows in a bright, sunny location but also thrives in partial shade such as under the light shade of native trees.

Soil They can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils as long as they are well drained. Plants do prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of below 7.

Climate Creeping boobialla grows in a wide range of climates from cool to subtropical reflecting its broad distribution across the country. Once established they are generally frost and drought tolerant.

Close-up of Myoporum flowers
Bee pollinating small white flowers of Myoporum

General care

Watering Water regularly and deeply during the establishment phase, and more frequently if plants are in exposed conditions or growing in containers. Once established these plants are mainly drought tolerant.

Feeding and mulching Feed with a fertiliser formulated for native plants such as liquid PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives or PowerFeed PRO SERIES Plant Food All Purpose including Natives. Myoporum also benefits from the seasonal application of a granular fertiliser during the year. Apply Seasol plus Nutrients All Purpose including  Natives during the growing season.

Mulch with fine gravel or organic mulch to keep weeds at bay as the plant grows and spreads across the soil as a living mulch.

Pruning Prune to shape or control spread if necessary or to reinvigorate plants.

Watch out Creeping boobialla has few pest problems, but leaf tips may be attacked by thrips. This can be controlled with natural pyrethrum spray. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.