shrub

Pointed Boobialla

The Story

Plant Bio

Myoporum acuminatum is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Australia that develops a dense, rounded crown with weeping branchlets. Its narrow leaves feature distinctly pointed tips and frame small, white, purple-spotted flowers produced in leaf axils from winter into spring.

Distinguished from related boobiallas by its translucent sepals and wrinkled, purplish-black ripe fruits, this species handles severe coastal exposure and saline soils with ease. The smooth, discolorous leaves remain lush and dark green even when subjected to intense wind and sea spray.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense, fine-textured evergreen foliage and weeping habit make an attractive hedge or windbreak.

Highly tolerant of salt spray, wind, and dry soils, making it useful for coastal stabilization.

Small white blossoms provide nectar for bees and generalist insect pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

197"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low once established

Humidity

High tolerance

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site receiving full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and flush with the surrounding soil level.
Backfill with native soil, firming gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Water thoroughly at installation and maintain moderate soil moisture until established.

Pro Tip

Tip-prune lightly after the main spring flowering flush to build density, as cutting back heavily into old, bare wood results in slow and patchy recovery.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in free-draining soil to avoid crown and root rot.
Prune light foliage tips annually to maintain a tight canopy.

Don't

Do not hard-prune into thick, leafless woody branches.
Avoid planting in low-lying, wet hollows where water sits.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Windbreak or coastal shelterbeltScreening hedgeErosion control on coastal slopesDrought-tolerant landscape accent

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Dodonaea viscosa Rhagodia candolleana Atriplex cinerea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Pointed Boobialla questions

What zones can Pointed Boobialla grow in?

Pointed Boobialla is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10: in that range it survives winter in the ground. Colder than Zone 9, grow it in a container you can move to shelter for the winter.

When does Pointed Boobialla bloom?

Pointed Boobialla typically blooms from winter to spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Pointed Boobialla need full sun?

Pointed Boobialla does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Pointed Boobialla drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Pointed Boobialla handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.