Viminaria juncea

(Native broom or Golden spray)

Description: This tough shrub also tolerates some extreme conditions, including soils that are wet in winter, but dry in summer and it too is fast-growing. In wet soils with poor drainage it will help to pump water out to make the area less boggy for other plants to grow in. It will reach 2.5-5 metres.

Viminaria juncea is the only species in the Viminaria genus and it is found only in Australia. It doesn't seem to have the same weedy potential as other members of pea families, such as wattles. Viminaria are found naturally in woodlands, forests and heathlands in parts of all Australian states but not NT. They often grow along waterways and in swampy areas, so they are a natural choice for growing around ponds.

The spring flowers are yellow and of typical pea shape and when they open in spring, they draw attention to the weeping habit of this attractive shrub. There's also something about these plants that makes them attractive to insect-eating birds. If you can find one that has been propagated from local seed or cuttings, it will probably do very well in your garden.

Photograph by Helen Moss: Plants of Melbourne's Outer East CD-Rom

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