Boronia Carousel

Boronia 'Carousel' is a beautiful plant for mild climates resulting from hybridization between two Australian shrubs highly valued locally for their spectacular spring flowering. It is an erect bush resembling a large heather, adorned with fine evergreen and aromatic foliage, which is adorned with small bell-shaped flowers that turn from pink to red. If you have a garden located in a mild coastal region, this Boronia should thrive in the ground, in non-calcareous soil, not too dry. As it performs very well in pots, gardeners in more continental climates can admire it on the terrace throughout the summer, pick its flowers to compose lovely scented bouquets, and bring it indoors in winter in a lightly heated greenhouse or conservatory.

Boronia 'Carousel' is a shrub of the Rutaceae family, a cousin of citrus trees. Its ancestors are native to Australia. The Boronia genus has about a hundred species. The 'Carousel' hybrid seems less susceptible to diseases than each of its two parents. Growing relatively fast, reaching its adult size in 3 to 5 years, this upright and generally oval-shaped shrub will reach an average height of 1.50m (4ft 11in) with a 1m (3ft 4in) spread in the ground. It develops thin ascending and branched branches, almost parallel to each other. These branches bear small narrow and pointed leaves that release a pleasant aroma when crushed. The flowering, long-lasting, occurs from May to early July. A multitude of flowers appear at the axils of the leaves, solitary. These are small pendulous bell-shaped flowers, composed of 4 waxy petals. They change from magenta pink to red and have a pleasant fragrance. During fruit formation, the petals close and persist for a long time, enveloping the fruit until it ripens. This specificity gives the illusion of endless flowering.

Boronia 'Carousel' cannot withstand temperatures below -5/-6°C, it does not tolerate limestone and aridity, and it likes sunlight. Its requirements are clear and must be respected to succeed in its cultivation and enjoy its magnificent flowering. Outside of certain well-targeted areas of our Atlantic coast, it seems preferable to cultivate it in a pot, where the substrate and wintering conditions can be controlled. In the garden, it can be associated, for example, with Galvezia speciosa, Gomphostigma virgatum, Diosma 'Pink Fountain', broom Genistas, or even white, pink, or red heathers. Australians also use it as a low hedge, with Leptospermums. On the terrace or balcony, it can be surrounded by Plumbago du Cap, which has a long blue flowering period, a Tibouchina, or even a Myrtus communis 'Flore Pleno'. Its spikes of small fragrant flowers in a bright pink-red colour are wonderful in country bouquets!