How to Grow Murrayas

Choose a sunny or part shade spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well.

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down.  Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed.  Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Feed in autumn and spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, or for a low-odour alternative: Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.  Fertilise every 2 weeks to promote healthy foliage growth, strong root development & beautiful flowers.

Prune on a regular basis to help bush the plants out. Prune in autumn for good flowering the following spring.

Select a dwarf variety and a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.

Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Plant, backfill gently with potting mix and water in well.

After the initial water, water the plants regularly allowing the plants to dry out slightly until the next watering.

Feed in autumn and spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser or for a low-odour alternative: Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food.  Fertilise every 2 weeks to promote healthy foliage growth, strong root development & beautiful flowers.

Prune on a regular basis to help bush the plants out. Prune in autumn for good flowering the following spring.

If growing as a hedge, lightly tip pruning until the plants have reached the desired height.

If growing as a tall screen, plant every 1 to 1.5 m. If you want to grow as a hedge plant 0.5 m apart (1-3 per metre).

Can be affected by frost (consider Yates DroughtShield).

Murrayas are moderately salt and pollution (chlorine) tolerant. However, if there is heavy splashing and the plants are inundated with pool water the plant might suffer. Ideally, water them before, or be sure to give them a thorough watering shortly after to help leach out some of the salt or chlorine.

Murrayas are large shrubs to small trees. They don't have a particularly invasive root system and can be grown in most places, including next to a driveway or pool.

If you plant a hedge of Murrayas, chances are the one at the end is not getting the same amount of water, nutrients, or light as the rest.

Pay extra attention to the one on the end when watering and feeding to prevent this from happening.

Murraya prefer slightly acidic soil between 5.5 and 6.5, if the soil pH is too high, the leaves will go yellow. Check the soil pH and adjust as required.

Overwatering and heavy rainfall can cause wet soils. Murraya prefers very well-drained soil and hates "wet-feet". Be sure to plant in the correct soil, or improve the drainage where practical.

Sap-suckers, such as Aphids, may also cause leaf yellowing.

If many tiny insects are congregated at the tips of your Murraya stems, chances are it is Aphids.

Spray plants with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray, and give the plants a good feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to help them bounce back.