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Shrubs

Myoporum tenuifolium

waterbush

A half-hardy evergreen shrub with a spreading habit and thin, elliptic, glossy green leaves. Small white flowers, sometimes speckled with purple, are produced singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils in spring, followed by purple berries

Other common names

boobialla
manatoka
see moremanotoka
pointed boobialla

Synonyms

Myoporum acuminatum

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

In mild regions, may be grown outdoors, in moist but well-drained soil in a sunny spot with midday shade. In areas prone to frost, grow under glass or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, in a peat-free, loam-based compost with bright filtered light

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer to early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Sub-tropical
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Ground cover

Pruning

Prune regularly to maintain shape, removing dead or diseased material in late winter to early spring before the new growth begins

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects when grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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