Bursaria spinosa or Sweet Bursaria is a low-maintenance tree flowering native to the eastern and southern states of Australia. It produces fragrant white flowers all-year round and attracts butterflies, birds, bees, and moths into the garden. In summer the flowers arrive in abundance in time for Christmas which is where the plant gets one of its many other common names, the Christmas Bush.
Sweet Bursaria is easy to grow, drought-hardy and will comfortably live beyond 200 years. It can grow in almost any soil, climate, tolerates snow and produces flowers all year round.
It also known by many other common names such as Christmas Bush, South Australia Christmas Bush, Native Blackthorn, Native Box, Spiny Box and Whitethorn to name a few.
Growth
Bursaria spinosa is a fast-growing native shrub or tree that common reaches 4 metres (12 feet) but can extend to 10-12 metres in ideal conditions. Its native range includes the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Queensland and New South Wales, as well as Cold and Temperate areas of Tasmania and Victoria.
Bursaria spinosa can be used as an ornamental or grown into an informal hedge and responds well to pruning. The branches are prickly so offer good protection from predators for some birds, they are also a good source of firewood. In drought-affected areas, farmers use Bursaria trees to provide livestock with shade without sucking too many nutrients from the ground.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Pittosporaceae
CLIMATE:
Cool Temperate, Temperate, Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-7°C to 40°C / 19 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Is tolerant of most types of soil but prefers a well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 4 metres (12 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
6.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees, Birds, and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
3-4 years
GERMINATION RATES:
80-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-6 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT BURSARIA SPINOSA (Sweet Bursaria)
The fruits reflect the genus name of Bursaria, which is derived from the Latin for a purse or small bag.
Bursaria spinosa is of high wildlife value, as a habitat for birds and as a nectar source. It is a useful honey plant in poor seasons, producing medium to heavy quantities of pollen and average amounts of a damp amber honey.
