PlantFiles: Lemon-scented Myrtle, Sweet Verbena Tree, Lemon Ironwood
Backhousia citriodora

Hi,
we have just had 42 backhousia citriodora 300mm plants delivered ready to plant a 32m screening hedge along a boundary in Clayfield. I just love the scent of the crushed leaves and the added bonus of being able to use them in cooking and to repel the mosquitos which are just starting to reappear. Our new plants have bushy heads but are a bit thin down below - should we prune soon after planting to promote lower growth? Our soil here is obviously "clay-ey" but we will be mixing it with good quality topsoil and mulching....any other tips?

I can only add to what has been said above. A superb Australian native shrub or small tree. Doesn't like drought conditions, during summer I water mine very regularly. As for uses, I use the leaves in a great many things such as SE Asian curries/soups/marinades, in place of lemongrass or lemon zest. I use some dried leaves ground up with pepper in crumbing for fish fillets, seafood or schnitzel. It also works well in Moroccan style dishes.

This would have to be one of Australias best small trees for the suburban garden.
The aromatic foliage alone is alureing, but when the fluffy flowers arrive in Nov / Dec it is rearly a show stopper!
The leaves are commonly used in "bush tucker"food and are lovely used in Ice-cream or sorbets.Very refreashing on a hot summers day.
Maximun height to approx 5 metres in a conical shape.
Not too much pruning is required.

I love this tree and so do the birds,bees and especially butterfly's. The old fallen leaves smell richly of lemon as you mow around the tree and the whole tree smells magnificent. It has a nice round compact shape and looks lovely when in bloom.