Pretty pink flowers in winter and early spring, when the garden is most in need of colour, plus a compact habit and handsome, narrow, evergreen foliage make this dwarf shrub ideal for small gardens. This rather intriguing Australian native also has the advantage of being very easy to grow and virtually maintenance free - its main needs are a sunny spot and free draining soil. It’s happy in windy situations, doesn’t mind frost and will tolerate periods of drought once established.

Even if conditions aren’t ideal in the garden there is another option - growing it in a pot. Its rounded habit and attractive foliage ensures that it’s still easy on the eye when the flowering season comes to an end. For a low maintenance yet full of interest grouping of dwarf shrubs, plant Zieria ‘Pink Crystals’ with Coleonema compactum, which has pleasantly aromatic foliage and masses of little pink flowers for a long time, commencing in early spring. It’s also fun with some pretty NZ natives, including Hebe ‘Waireka’, which in addition to a lengthy and profuse production of light purple, good size flowers, has highly attractive cream and green foliage.

In gardens where frosts are never more than light, try Zieria ‘Pink Crystals’ planted as a contrast to pink flowered marguerite daisies including ‘Summit Pink’, ‘Summit Rose’ and ‘Supernova Carmine’.