Myoporum parvifolium Pink

Myoporum parvifolium "Rose" is a pink-flowered form of the Small-leaved Myoporum, an Australian creeping bush also called 'Creeping Boobialla''. Its long stems are adorned with small evergreen leaves. These trailing stems hug the terrain, quickly forming a beautiful ground cover in rocky areas or along borders, cascading down walls. The plant bears small nectar-rich flowers for many weeks between spring and summer. It is a less hardy plant, but well adapted to summer drought and coastal conditions. Elsewhere, it can be grown in containers or hanging baskets and stored indoors during winter.

Myoporum parvifolium belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. It is native to eastern South Australia, which has a mild winter and dry summer climate. In nature, it is often found on limestone cliffs, in valleys, or in sandy soil forests. It cannot tolerate frost below -4 to -5°C (24.8 to 23°F). Myoporum parvifolium exhibits rapid growth. It forms a ground cover of about 15cm (6in) in height, covering an area of 1m² (11ft²) on the ground. In pots, the plant will remain more compact. The foliage is evergreen. It consists of thick, fleshy, ovate leaves, measuring 1.8 to 4cm (1 to 2in) long and 3 to 6mm (1in) wide, with a bright green colour. They are arranged alternately and closely packed on the long creeping stems. Flowering begins in May or June, depending on the climate, and continues until July-August. Small solitary or clustered flowers appear in the axils of the leaves. Each flower, measuring less than 1cm (1in) in width, consists of a tube that opens into 5 lobes, revealing 4 stamens. The throat of the flowers is marked with purple to violet spots.

In mild climates, Myoporum parvifolium is used in rock gardens, as a border plant in raised beds, or planted above walls. It can be paired with other ground covers such as dwarf artemisia, Teucrium haradjanii, Drosanthemum hispidum, or Hertia cheirifolia, for example. Other drought-tolerant plants such as Convolvulus cneorum, Cistus skanbergii, or trailing rosemary will also make good companions. The small-leaved Myoporum is also a good plant for containers, troughs, and hanging baskets.