Willow myrtle After Dark

Sun

Full sun for the strongest foliage colour; tolerates light partial shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing; moderately drought tolerant once established, but benefits from deep watering during prolonged dry weather.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates a range of soil pH levels but dislikes waterlogged ground.

Height

18-25 ft (5.5-7.6 m), potentially taller with age in favourable climates

Spread

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m)

Flowers

Small white flowers in clusters along the branches in late spring and summer; often inconspicuous against the foliage.

Foliage

Evergreen. Narrow, pointed, burgundy-purple leaves on slender, weeping branches; leaves smell of peppermint when crushed.

Growth

Moderate to fast in mild climates with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.9 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.4 m)

About 16 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant after the main frost risk has passed, with the root flare level with the surrounding soil.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Spread organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak; avoid heavy applications of nitrogen.
• Shelter young trees from cold, drying winds and protect them during brief frosts.
• Stake only if the root ball moves in wind, and remove the support once the tree is firmly rooted.

Pruning. Prune lightly after flowering to remove damaged or crossing branches and develop a sound framework while young. Avoid repeated topping or severe cuts into mature wood, which spoil the natural weeping shape.

Spring

Plant once frost risk has passed, and begin regular establishment watering.

Spring

Renew mulch and check that it is not touching the trunk.

Late spring

Check young shoots for aphids and treat only if colonies are causing damage.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry spells; give established trees an occasional deep soak during prolonged drought.

Late summer

After flowering, make any necessary light shaping cuts and remove damaged branches.

Winter

Protect young plants during forecast frosts and check ties after storms.

• Use as a small specimen tree where its weeping crown can develop without repeated clipping.
• Set against a pale wall or fence to make the burgundy foliage stand out.
• Combine with silver-leaved shrubs and ornamental grasses for contrasting colour and texture.
• Use as a loose evergreen screen in a mild coastal garden, allowing enough space for its mature width.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Coastal, Modern Mediterranean, Architectural minimal, Dry gravel garden and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Coastal rosemary, Lomandra, Dianella, Lavender, Santolina and Kangaroo paw.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. The evergreen canopy offers shelter for small birds.

• Frost damage: young foliage and shoots may blacken after freezing weather. Protect young plants and wait until spring growth starts before cutting back damaged wood.
• Root rot in wet soil: declining foliage and dieback can follow prolonged saturation. Improve drainage and avoid frequent shallow watering; badly affected trees may need replacement.
• Aphids or scale insects: inspect shoots and stems if foliage becomes sticky or develops sooty mould. Encourage predators and use a suitable horticultural oil when necessary, following the label.
• Weak branch structure: crowded or poorly attached limbs can split as the crown grows. Correct structural faults with light formative pruning while the tree is young.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific safety information is limited. Do not treat the aromatic leaves, bark or seeds as food or use them to make essential-oil preparations.

• Burgundy willow myrtle (Agonis flexuosa 'Burgundy')

  New growth is burgundy, but older foliage becomes greener; 'After Dark' retains much darker foliage through the canopy.

• Weeping willow (Salix babylonica)

  Has green leaves that fall in autumn, produces catkins rather than small white myrtle flowers, and lacks the peppermint scent of crushed agonis leaves.

The species name flexuosa refers to the bent or zigzag branchlets, while willow myrtle describes the willow-like leaves of this member of the myrtle family.

Propagation. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer to retain the dark foliage. Seed-grown plants will not reliably come true to the cultivar; check local plant breeders' rights before propagating for sale.

Accepted botanical name

Agonis flexuosa

Native range

Western Australia.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.