Common Name: Alpine Baeckea

General Information

Baeckea gunniana is a densely branched, erect evergreen shrub growing up to 100cm tall. Sometimes the plant is more or less prostrate[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a tea. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued for its attractive foliage and free-flowering nature[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Australia - New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.

Habitat

Heath at high altitudes along streams, in wet rocky sites or bogs[]. Bogs and wet rocky sites, especially by water courses in alpine regions; at elevations up to 1,800 metres.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Baeckea gunniana is a plant of alpine regions in southeast Australia, where it can experience both snow and frost. It can tolerate occasional temperatures down to at least -7°c in its native range[].
Requires a position in full sun in a fertile moisture retentive well-drained soil[].
The leaves emit a powerful camphor-like scent when handled[].
This species is very closely related to and perhaps synonymous with Baeckea utilis[].
A rock garden plant[], it seems to maintain its prostrate habit even when grown at lower elevations[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are a tea substitute, they are very refreshing and aromatic. A citrus-like flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn in a greenhouse and keep the compost moist until germination takes place. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].