MYOPORUM laetum

Vigorous shrub or sometimes small tree, perennial and evergreen, with rapid growth and compact habit, native to Australia: when fully developed it can exceed 5 m in height and even 3 m in width. It is well branched and lignified from the base and has upright, vertical, erect stems which, however, tend to spread a bit at the top, making it take on an airy and expanded appearance: the bark of the apical herbaceous parts is often colored amaranth red, while that of the lower woody parts is silvery in color. The leaves, arranged alternately, are oblong-lanceolate with acute apex, slightly fleshy, with slightly wavy and smooth margins, of a beautiful bright dark green color. In late spring, in the terminal parts of the branches and in the axillary position, short inflorescences appear composed of a few minutes bell-shaped flowers with a 5-lobed corolla and of a white color often spotted with purple: these are followed in autumn, and remain throughout the winter, small clusters of ovoid purplish fruits. It prefers sunny exposures and adapts to any type of soil, provided it is well drained; it bears both saltiness, typical of the marine winds of coastal regions, and the prolonged lack of water. On the other hand, it hardly tolerates low winter temperatures, only a few degrees below zero: therefore, in regions with lower minimum temperatures, it is recommended to plant it in sheltered places or, even better, to be sheltered in a cool and bright place in winter. At the vegetative restart it will be necessary to eliminate dry, damaged or cluttered parts and at the same time the generous shortening of the branches to stimulate their thicker and richer growth. It can do well on terraces and balconies, as long as in large containers; in the open ground in the garden it can be a large bush on its own or together with other specimens in sequence a green barrier, a hedge that is valid at any time of the year and especially right in areas near the sea.