Lophomyrtus ralphii Pixie

Lophomyrtus ralphii 'Pixie' is a decorative New Zealand shrub that remains attractive throughout the year, but is only hardy in mild coastal areas. Elsewhere, it can easily be grown in containers, thanks to its miniature size and ease of maintenance. When placed on a well-protected patio, it creates, alongside other plants from the antipodes, a subtly exotic atmosphere. Its delicate yet abundant summer flowers produces numerous small powdery white flowers that seem to shimmer against a wonderfully coloured foliage of brown, purple, and green. In winter, it bears small dark red pearl-like fruits. This relative of the Myrtles is a striking yet elegant plant that thrives in humus-rich sandy soil, that is non or slightly calcareous, and slightly moist in summer. 

Lophomyrtus 'Pixie' is a small shrub belonging to the Myrtaceae family, whose members are mainly native to tropical and warm temperate regions.  It is the family of Eucalyptus, Myrtles, Callistemons, Feijoas, Melaleucas... known for their typically showy flowers, often composed of very colourful stamens. It belongs to a series of hybrids and are a result of cross-breeding between the only two species in the genus, Lophomyrtus bullata and Lophomyrtus obcordata, both native to New Zealand.

'Pixie' is a miniature shrub that will reach an average height of 50 cm (19.7 in) ,possibly 70 cm (27.6 in) with an equal spread. It has a moderately fast growth rate and naturally has a dense, branching, slightly upright, and very bushy habit. The small leaves, only 6 to 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) in length, are evergreen, glossy, ovate, and leathery. The foliage is a mix of brown, purple, and green shades, providing year-round decoration. The shrub blooms generously in the second half of summer (August-September). The small globular flowers, white and slightly fragrant, have 4 petals surrounding prominent stamens. They measure 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 in) wide and form a small flared cup. They appear in the axils of the leaves, on the current year's growth, and are followed in autumn by the formation of small round fleshy fruits, 4 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) in diameter, which turn a beautiful dark red when ripe. This Lophomyrtus is not very hardy, tolerating frost only down to about -6 °C, in well-drained soil and  that is not excessively exposed to strong winds.

Lophomyrtus 'Pixie' is a delightful plant for terraces and orangery in cold climates. In a greenhouse or conservatory, it pairs well with an Orange, a Leucadendron or a Cassia floribunda to create an extremely decorative group, evoking landscapes with exotic charm and fragrance. In mild climates, it can be used as a standalone plant, a low hedge - it tolerates pruning well - or in a flower bed, alongside Leptospermum, Boronia, or even Eriostemon myoporoides, which bears a resemblance to citrus trees. It can also be used as a foreground plant for Callistemon masotti Mini Red, a small bottlebrush with bright red flowers in bottlebrush form.