| Botanical Name |
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| Family |
Polygalaceae - The false legume family. |
| Pronunciation |
poe-LIG-ah-lah mer-tih-FOE-lee-uh |
| Common Name(s) |
September bush; Augustusbossie, Blouertjie, langelede; ulopesi, umabalabala (Xhosa) |
| Plant Group |
- Shrub A woody plant of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk; a bush.
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| Plant Size |
- Small to Medium
| Tree | 8m to 15m |
| Shrub | 75cm to 1m |
| Perennial/ground cover | 20cm to 40cm |
| Bulb | 30cm to 40cm |
| Succulent | 20cm to 40cm |
- Small
| Tree | 4m to 8m |
| Shrub | 50cm to 75cm |
| Perennial/ground cover | 10cm to 20cm |
| Bulb | 20cm to 30cm |
| Succulent | 10cm to 20cm |
- Very Small
| Tree | 3m to 4m |
| Shrub | 25cm to 50cm |
| Perennial/ground cover | Up to 10cm |
| Bulb | 10cm to 20cm |
| Succulent | Up to 5cm |
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| Position |
- Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
- Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
- Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.
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| General Information |
- Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
- Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
- Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
- Salt spray tolerant A plant with specific adaptations enabling it to grow in a saline environment.
- Sand tolerant Plants adapted to survive in nutrient poor, very sandy soils.
- Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.
- Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.
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| Specific Information |
An attractive evergreen shrub, the September bush is able to adapt to most garden situations. It is fast growing, making it especially useful for new gardens.
There appears to be quite a difference between the Polygala myrtifolia that grows in the wild and that which is sold under the same name, in some nurseries. They have thus been dealt with separately below.
Polygala myrtifolia - wild veld plant. Refer to the first 6 photos above.
This is a tough, loosely branched plant with relatively small, narrow leaves, that grows up to 2 meters. It flowers best in full sun, really dry conditions, poor soil and the least possible care - see natural habitat in photograph 6 above. Perhaps best planted in wild gardens, very dry gardens and exclusion zones.
Polygala myrtifolia - nursery plant. Refer to the last 4 photos above.
The plant offered at nurseries has possibly been selectively bred or could be a sub-species. This polygala seems to be a bit smaller, naturally neater and has rounded, softly textured, blue-green leaves. The flowers are well-defined and plentiful. A useful little shrub that can be lightly pruned to keep it bushy. It responds well to feeding, mulch and moisture and is reported to tolerate some shade. I have reservations as to this version's suitability for beach facing gardens receiving salt laden winds. |
| Flowers |
| Description |
|
| Season |
- All Year Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
- Winter to Spring Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
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| Colour |
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| Growth Rate |
- Very Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.
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| Plant Uses |
- Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
- Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
- Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
- Hedge Suitable trees or shrubs planted relatively close together so that the branches intertwine to create a barrier. This can be formal – the plants are regularly trimmed to produce a neat shape, or informal – the plants are left to themselves to create a natural hedgerow.
- Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
- Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
- Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
- Suitable for seaside gardens Plants that will survive the hostile environment of harsh salty winds, dry sandy soil, irregular rainfall and heat found in seaside gardens.
- Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.
- Windbreak Trees planted in a row to form protection from prevailing winds by breaking the force of the wind, thereby reducing wind damage.
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| Ad Break |
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| Distribution |
from the Bokkeveld Mountains in the Western Cape to Kwazulu-Natal, on dunes, rocky slopes, in forests, along streams, in scrub and open grassland |
| Planting Suggestions |
The September bush will grow in most soil types. Polygala myrtifolia needs very little watering once established. It can be lightly pruned to shape, which encourages a more bushy habit and will keep it within bounds. Left to itself, growth is a bit more lax. Fewer flowers are produced in shady spots. Useful in areas that change from full sun in summer to semi- or full shade in winter. |
| Medicinal Uses |
Polygala myrtifolia is known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. |
| Availability |
- Available The plant is currently available at our nursery.
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Comments
Polygala Myrtifolia
There's no flowers on my polygala Myrtifolia.??? What do I've to do to make sure the plant flowers well.
Polygala myrtifolia - poor flowering
Hi Mala
Thanks for your comment. It brought to my notice that this plant needed some urgent up-dating. Read through the Specific Comments section of the plant information again to assess which plant you have, as I have added more information.
I have the same problem as you with the plants I grew from seed collected in the wild. I have come to the conclusion that the soil is too rich and I have provided too much moisture. Remove any mulch from around the plant and hold back all extra water. Prune lightly in autumn - don't wait until winter as late pruning will affect the spring flower crop. Try to mimic the environment in which it flowers well - see photo 6 above. Bear in mind that the flowering season is between August and September, depending on the prevailing climate. Only a few flowers will appear through the rest of the year.
If you have a nursery specimen, the supplier's instructions are to feed occasionally with 'organic fertilizer or 3.1.5 to encourage more flowers'.
I hope this information will be of use to you. Let us know your results next spring, good or bad. It is so useful to have feed back.
Thank you very much for your
Thank you very much for your detailed information. I shall attend to
what's necessary and will keepin touch!! Thank you again
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