Before you go hunting for exotic garden divas, cast an eye over Polygala myrtifolia. This cheerful South African shrub has been getting on with the job quietly for centuries, flowering with admirable enthusiasm while asking for remarkably little in return.
Known as September bush and Augustusbossie, it has a knack for thriving where fussier plants throw in the trowel. Whether it’s salty coastal winds or that awkward corner of the garden where nothing seems happy, Polygala myrtifolia simply gets on with growing. Most shrubs reach between 60 cm and 1.8 m, although more ambitious specimens can stretch into small trees of nearly 4 m.
Its mauve flowers steal the show, appearing throughout the year before erupting into a spectacular spring performance from August to October. Look closely and you’ll notice they have their own signature flourish: a tiny, brush-like tuft that gives each bloom a touch of botanical flamboyance.
The Greek name Polygala means “much milk”, while the species name simply refers to its myrtle-like leaves.
Gardeners love this shrub because it’s almost impossible to offend. Plant it in sun or semi-shade with a thick mulch during winter. Give it the occasional light trim if you’re feeling energetic. But once established, it needs very little water. Even so, it rewards you with months of colour, a haven for pollinators and the satisfaction of having a plant that works every bit as hard as it looks good.
Ref: pza.sanbi.org.
