DARWINIA citriodora

Commonly known as Lemon-scented Darwinia is a small spreading shrub with small fine greyish green lemon scented leaves and red and yellow five petalled flowers occur in terminal heads during spring and autumn.
Prefers a light moist soil in an open semi shaded position. Drought, frost and salt tolerant.

Endemic to the south west corner of Western Australia from Perth to Albany.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C for this species.

Pre-treatment of smoke is recommended for this species.
Research has shown that many members of this genus to be responsive to pre-treatment of smoke. Although germination will may occur without smoke treatment it has proved be beneficial in reducing the number of days to germination and increasing germination rates of this species.

Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken either by soaking the seed overnight or by applying to the surface after sowing, both provide good results. Smoke treatments available by clicking here.

1. Sow seed on surface of a porous seed raising mix. The seed will lodge in the the pores of the mix once watered.
2. Sprinkle a light covering of the seed raising mix over the seed. Do not bury seed too deeply.
3. Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
6. Germination generally occurs in around 21-42 days in the right conditions.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded