Hidden within the Hills: Kunzeas

If you are walking alongside one of many many tracks in our bushland reserves between October and December you might likelihood throughout a Kunzea ambigua (White Kunzea or Tick Bush).
This bush is pretty frequent, notably in open scrubby woodland and heath with sandy soils. It is among the first to regrow after its habitat has been disturbed by clearing.

In best conditions, this bush which may grow up to 3 metres tall, and in season, can be lined with a prolific crop of delicate white flowers with very lengthy stamens which conceal the petals.

Kunzea Native Flower: A Symphony of Colors and Scents
Native FlowersThese flowers provide a welcome source of nectar for all kinds of bugs in addition to small nectar feeding and insectivorous birds.

When taking the time to look into the bush it is potential to look at a few of the insects that prefer to reside in its neighborhood.

This explicit species is typically utilized in gardens, particularly those featuring a variety of native crops. When kept compact by pruning it presents well as a seasonal specimen plant.

The name “Tick Bush” apparently comes from people observing that some native animals like to put under the bush. It was thought that the fragrant oil content of the foliage could deter ticks and mites.

Growing in an identical habitat is the less common Kunzea capitata (Pink Kunzea). This smaller selection could develop to round 1.5 metres high, and might be in flower typically from September to October.

Hidden in the Hills Kunzeas  have small white pin head dimension globular dots at the ends of the stamens. Several flowers are clustered collectively in path of the ends of branches which have a distinctive reddish-brown colouration.

This shrub is often more compact than its relative. It too can be grown as an ornamental specimen in a home native garden.