Pimelea prostrata
prostrate rice flower
A prostrate evergreen shrub forming a mat to 20cm tall, with tiny, ovate, grey-green leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers 6mm wide in summer, sometimes followed by tiny white fruit
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | White | ||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Thymelaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Pimelea are small evergreen shrubs with leathery, paired leaves and terminal clusters of small, daphne-like tubular flowers, followed by berry-like or dry fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- New Zealand
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in neutral to acidic soil in a sunny, sheltered position where the temperature does not fall below -3°C. In containers under glass, use an ericaceous compost (lime-free) with added sharp sand
Propagation
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Coastal
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem in dry glasshouse conditions
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.