Myoporum parvifolium 'Broad Leaf Pink'

Broad Leaf Pink Creeping Boobialla

Botanical Name: Myoporum parvifolium ‘Broad Leaf Pink’
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Origin: Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen groundcover shrub

Overview

A hardy, fast-spreading Australian native groundcover, Myoporum parvifolium ‘Broad Leaf Pink’ forms a lush, weed-suppressing carpet of broader, bright green foliage topped with masses of soft pink star-shaped flowers from late spring through to early autumn. Exceptionally well suited to Adelaide’s hot, dry Mediterranean climate, it thrives in full sun, poor soils, coastal winds and low rainfall. Its dense matting habit stabilises slopes, covers large areas quickly and spills attractively over walls and garden edges. Foliage is not fragrant, but may develop slight bronzing or silvery tones during cold winters or dry summers, adding subtle seasonal variation. This broad-leaf form is long-lived, resilient and ideal for SA landscapes requiring durability and minimal maintenance.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.1–0.2 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (broad, dense, trailing groundcover)
• Growth Rate: 50–80 cm outward spread per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Bright to mid-green broader leaves compared to fine-leaf forms; evergreen; may bronze slightly in cold or dry periods
• Flowers: Soft pink star-shaped blooms heavily from late spring–autumn
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen groundcover with long flowering season; subtle winter/summer foliage tints
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees and small pollinators; dense cover provides habitat for lizards and beneficial insects
• Tolerance: Extremely drought-tolerant once established; excellent heat, wind and salt tolerance; ideal for coastal SA; light frost tolerant
• Planting Density: 1 plant per 2–3 m² for broad coverage; 1–1.5 m spacing for edges or spillover zones
• Pet Friendly: Considered non-toxic; ingestion may cause mild tummy upset in pets

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best density and flowering; tolerates light part shade
• Soil: Prefers free-draining sandy, loamy or limestone soils; thrives in poor and rocky soils; avoid persistent waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 3-4 weeks in summer (more in extreme heat); minimal water in winter
• Maintenance: Very low. Trim back runners to contain spread; remove spent flowers if desired; apply a very light native-safe fertiliser in early spring only if needed
• Lifespan: 15–25+ years (long-lived groundcover)
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Adelaide plains, coastal suburbs, Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu, Eyre Peninsula and other low-rainfall regions
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline; tolerates slightly acidic soils if drainage is good

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Excellent large-scale waterwise groundcover for banks, verges and broad native bed
• Weed-suppressing carpet beneath trees or between shrubs
• Reliable choice for coastal plantings with Westringia, Eremophila, Lomandra and coastal rosemary
• Spillover plant for retaining walls, steps and rockeries
• Durable, fast-covering option for modern Mediterranean and low-irrigation gardens

Why You Will Love It

‘Broad Leaf Pink’ is one of the toughest, most adaptable groundcovers available for SA. Its ability to cover large areas quickly with minimal water, combined with long-lasting pink blooms and dense evergreen foliage, makes it a standout performer in Adelaide’s heat, coastal winds and dry soils. With almost no maintenance required, it delivers beauty, coverage and resilience all year round.