Information about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Backhousia

species, hybrids and cultivars

Common Names: Lemon myrtle and others
Family: Myrtaceae

Several native tree species belong to this genus. Backhousia anisata and Backhousia myrtifolia are two that you should be able to find in nurseries (particularly native plant nurseries).

However, the best known and most popular species is Backhousia citriodora, the lemon myrtle, which has lemon-scented leaves now commercially cultivated as a bushfood.

Backhousia citriodoraas a garden plant was discussed in more detail in the 20-01-2023 edition of Get Results Gardening, a weekly email mini-magazine for Australians. Plants discussed are mostly for the frost-free parts of the country. If you request a free trial (see calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html for instructions) you can ask for a copy of the 20-01-2023 edition to be sent as well if you want to read the article about B. citriodora (Australian residents only, please).