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Native Rose
~ Boronia serrulata ~
RUTACEAE
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The Native Rose stems from the Rutaceae family, which isn’t actually a family of roses but the citrus family of limes, oranges and lemons. All 90 species of Boronia are endemic to Australia and are long-lasting cut flowers. The serrulata are soft petalled, sweet and citrusy with a hint of spice – a rose by any other name. There’s evidence that Boronias have a mutualistic relationship with a special Australian day-flying moth from the Heliozelidae family. This beautiful metallic-like moth has a unique pollen-collecting structure on its abdomen and is known to lay eggs inside the flower, with the new-hatched larvae snacking on the emerging seeds. With a few Boronia species listed as endangered, understanding these sorts of relationships is important for the conservation of both plants and animals.
WHERE TO LOOK
Rose is mainly found flaunting her gorgeous blooms throughout the ranges around Sydney and the moist coastal heaths of temperate New South Wales.
Locations → NSW: Chiltern Trail, leading into Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Hawkesbury Track, Kariong, Brisbane Water National Park and Muogamarra Nature Reserve.
FEATURES
This very attractive evergreen shrub grows to 1m high with bright-green, saw-edged leaves that grow to 2cm and are fragrant when crushed. Flowers are bright pink and cup shaped, sized 7–12mm and have a fresh spicy-citrus smell. After the plant has bloomed, the flowers close over the fruit, which explode with seeds when ripe.
FLOWERING SEASON
Late winter to spring → This perennial shrub flowers August to October.
PLANTING
The Native Rose can be potted or planted in shade or part shade and tolerates frost. Germinating from seed requires smoke treatment and this can be achieved by sprinkling treated vermiculite over the sown seed. It can also be propagated by cuttings after flowering. Well-drained soils are necessary so turn organic compost or dried fallen leaves into your soil and build up a rocky fort to keep the roots cool and well drained. Keep regularly hydrated.
