Boronias have a reputation for being difficult to maintain in the garden, and this is true in my garden, which has heavier clay soil that the plant’s root system struggles to penetrate in order to establish itself. Additionally, the soil is dry due to neighbouring trees. So, when Boronia Showoff caught my attention, I decided to grow it in a pot to ensure the soil was well-drained and maintained an even supply of moisture. I could also make sure the plant was protected from the hot afternoon sun, which Boronias dislike.
My plant is now in its fourth year. The pot is 40 cm in diameter and 30 cm tall. I have placed it on my front patio where it receives dappled light all day and flowers profusely. I repotted it after two years by replacing the bottom 3 to 4 cm of the root ball with fresh potting mix. I liquid-fertilized after flowering and cut it back by a third to keep it compact.
Flushed with success, I have recently planted this Boronia in a raised garden bed with dappled morning light, adjacent to Crowea saligna, as both have similarly coloured flowers. I will wait until next year to see the floral display.
Boronia Showoff is a cross between Boronia pinnata and Boronia muelleri. Both of these plants are found growing naturally in NSW. One parent, B. pinnata, is a variable shrub that grows to 1.5 m tall. It has many forms and is an outstanding shrub in cultivation. The other parent, B. muelleri, is also a variable shrub growing to 1.5 m or taller in moist, shaded gullies. It is a hardy shrub and the parent of many hybrids, as is the case with this plant.
