Prostanthera cuneata

27 Oct

Prostanthera cuneata (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward Gardens, Dorchester)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 90cm

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Lamiaceae

Prostanthera cuneata is a semi evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its fleshy dark green leaves are obovate with entire margins up to 5mm long and 3mm across. Its leaves are strongly aromatic when crushed. Its white flowers have purple/ red spots, up to 15mm long, are solitary and appear in clusters at the end of stems.

Prostanthera cuneata Flower (04/10/2015, Kingston Maurward Gardens, Dorchester)

Prostanthera cuneata, commonly known as Alpine Mint Bush or Rough Mint Bush, is native to south east Australia. In its native habitat it grows alpine heath and shrub land.

The etymological root of the binomial name Prostanthera is derived from the Greek prostheke menaing ‘appendage’ and anthera menaing ‘anther’. Cuneata is from the Latin meaning ‘wedge shaped’.

The landscape architect may find Prostanthera cuneata useful as part of a low mixed shrub border and as an effective ground cover. It prefers a sheltered position. Once established this shrub is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Prostanthera cuneata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.