A new Australian native plant developed by The University of Queensland’s Centre for Native Floriculture was recently launched at Manawee Garden Centre, Buderim.
Fittingly for a Queensland-born-and-bred plant, Gomphrena Empress was officially launched onto the garden market by Executive Officer of the Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland Don Scotts.
CNF Director Professor Daryl Joyce thanked the State Government for its assistance in developing Gomphrena Empress from a wild plant to a garden-ready product.
Professor Joyce said the team was currently working on white, darker purple and magenta versions of the flower.
“Some of the seeds were collected way back in 2003, 2004. It’s native to Queensland and it’s very drought tolerant,” he said.
Gomphrena Empress is now available in garden retailers in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Media: Erin Pearl at the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Veterinary Science (07 5460 1229, 0409 265 587 or e.pearl@uq.edu.au)
