Gomphrena canescens

Scientific name: Gomphrena canescens

Author: R.Br.

Family: Amaranthaceae

Location

These plants are quite difficult to grow this far south and they are also very labour intensive as each seed has to be hand cleaned before it will germinate. The plants in our beds at the base of the Terrace Garden may be your only chance to see these beautiful flowers, so why not visit the Garden and have a look?

This small annual is widely distributed across tropical Australia, usually growing in moist depressions in woodlands and grassland. 

The flowers vary from white to pink to mauve, with an unusual dark red subspecies in the Northern Territory. The intense pink of our selection makes them a low focus in this cottage garden setting.  They are a good choice to achieve this effect in tropical gardens.  They require an open sunny position and plenty of water when in active growth.