This one, from Victoria and South Australia, is among the best and strongest growing in Canberra gardens, and succeeds as a long-lived shrub that is hardy to frost and drought. Of elegant and thriving appearance all the year, it is most striking when it flowers in the spring. Within the species there are a number of forms varying from upright to low and spreading, but always they develop a good shape. In height it reaches 1.5 m and can spread to 2.5 m, sometimes covering the ground in a cushion effect.
Growth is dense and branching is irregular, generally in straight, flattish sprays.
The one centimetre-long narrow, pointed leaves grow at a wide angle to the stem in neat opposite arrangement. They are smooth textured and have a lemon scent when bruised. In spring the young growing tips are bright green. Flower heads formed of feathery bunches of vivid magenta-rose stamens, closely set surrounding the stems of older wood, may open at any time from the end of October and are at their best in the first half of November. After a cool and showery spring, flowering may continue until the end of November, but in a season of hot dry spells flowering is often poor and short.