An upright shrub topped in spring with dense clusters of tiny white or pink button flowers held above fine aromatic foliage. A major commercial native cut flower and easy garden filler.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 2 m H × 1.5 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Rice Flower
Ozothamnus diosmifolius is a fast-growing shrub in the Asteraceae family, native to New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. It reaches around 2 m tall and 1.5 m wide at maturity, with evergreen and aromatic foliage. White and pink flowers appear in spring.
Where to grow Rice Flower
Rice Flower suits warm-temperate, subtropical and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice, tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is usually left alone by rabbits.
Soil & planting
Rice Flower does best in free-draining, sandy and clay soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Rice Flower performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. For the first year, favour occasional deep watering over frequent shallow drinks so roots move into the surrounding soil.
Pruning & care
Prune Rice Flower after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Its ongoing care level is low maintenance.
Using Rice Flower in the garden
Rice Flower earns its place for cut flowers for the vase, a feature or specimen planting and feeding bees and pollinators.
Companion planting & design
Build the planting around neighbours suited to the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate as Rice Flower. Repeating the foliage or flower colour nearby will make the composition feel deliberate. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Rice Flower
Plant Sale lists Rice Flower as tube stock, potted plants, advanced specimens and seed. Use the interest form above to check current sizes, pricing and availability before ordering.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Rice Flower seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
