PIMELEA ferruginea

The Pink Rice Flower is a very popular garden shrub due to its prolific flowering and long flowering season.

The Pink Rice Flower can grow as large as 3 metres but is generally around 1 to 1.5 metres in cultivation. Tolerant of coastal exposure.

Pinks flowers occurs from August to February in its natural environment. Flowers can vary from light oink to bright pink.

A small shrub native to southwest Western Australia.

Prefers a medium well-drained soil in a protected partially shaded position, drought and frost tender.

Main photo credit C T Johansson CC BY 3.0

Seed is usually best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination of this genus is around 15-23°C

Pre-treatment of smoke is recommended for this species.

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 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.

1. Germination should occur in 21-42 days depending on the temperature and conditions.

Pre-treatment of smoke.
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.

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.

Florabase WA