Common name: Oldfield’s Darwinia

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Family: MYRTACEAE

Origin of Scientific Name

Darwinia – named in honour of Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin by Edward Rudge in 1816.

oldfieldii – after Augustus Oldfield (1821–1887), an English botanist who collected a specimen of this species near the Murchison River in 1867.

Description

Darwinia oldfieldii is stand out stunner in winter. This erect, spreading shrub of up to 0.5 metre high and 1 metre wide has attractive blue-green foliage with small densely arranged leaves and pops from August to October with showy strawberry red flowers.

Darwinia plants can be divided into two groups. Darwinia oldfieldii belongs to the rose-type variety which also includes Darwinia purpurea, another gorgeous species with darker red flowers. The other group of Darwinia species have bell-shaped flowers.

Oldfield’s Darwinia has a very restricted distribution near Kalbarri in Western Australia where it can be found in sandy soils on sand plains or rocky ocean ledges.

Horticultural tips

• Drought tolerant
• Suits most soil types but requires well-drained soil.
• Plant in full sun or part shade.

For more horticultural tips view our Plant Notes section.

View in Kings Park

Visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden to see Darwinia oldfieldii at Roe Garden or on the floral mound opposite Aspects of Kings Park (refer to map).

Want more information?

Refer to the profile for this plant on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' FloraBase online herbarium.