Last October, the media gardener and BBC presenter, Monty Don spoke in an article in The Telegraph about the need to have land to foster interest in plants in future generations, who will be the future of the profession and the sector. He mentioned the need to have land to be able to grow, experiment and enjoy vegetation. Since he comments, in the United Kingdom currently, there are not enough young people working in gardening and it is necessary for young people to be interested in this profession. And as Don says, no young teenager will find gardening interesting just by reading books and learning Latin names.
Perhaps pots are a simple alternative and also very linked to traditional Mediterranean gardening, where these have been a recurring element in the composition of gardens. Therefore, on this occasion, we want to present a very rewarding plant in terms of flowering and ease of care, which also adapts very well to pot cultivation. So that, even on a smaller scale, through pots, one can experiment with horticulture and foster interest in the green.
A plant with these characteristics that can currently be found in the Nursery is Boronia crenulata, which is a small perennial shrub native to the western part of Australia, belongs to the Rutaceae family and its name refers to an Italian explorer who accompanied the expeditions to Australia in the 18th century.
It is a compact and rounded plant, although slightly open and blunt. In full development it reaches about 60cm in height and about 80cm in width. Its small flowers, formed by four pinkish petals, are fragrant, and its flowering, which is very profuse, extends practically throughout the year.
It likes to be located under light shade and in a sheltered place, but it can also be in partial shade, although its flowering will be somewhat reduced, or in full sun where watering will require greater attention.
It prefers to grow in fertile, light soils with a certain degree of moisture. It does not like very calcareous soils, although it has a certain tolerance to them and can even have good development in clay soils. It has a medium growth rate and its water requirements are moderate, although it is advisable not to let the substrate dry out for prolonged periods, especially the first year of planting or if grown in a pot.
Maintenance needs are low and it is an easy plant to grow. But if you want to preserve its compact habit, frequent pinching pruning and more intense pruning in late winter or early spring will be necessary.
Its frost resistance is moderate, withstanding temperatures down to -6ºC. Although if the roots are well protected, as by a layer of mulch, it has the capacity to resprout once the most intense cold has passed. It is a species very resistant to pests and diseases, although occasionally it may present some mite problem.
As it is a small shrub, it is considered a very suitable plant for growing in pots, but it can also be used as a border in flower beds. And its branches are common in floral arrangements.
At Sala Graupera, in addition to this species we can also find other Boronias with interesting characteristics such as: