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LEPTOSPERMUM
Commonly known as Australian tea tree, Manuka
Small, bright flowers making up for their size by their profuse flowering.
Early Australian settlers steeped leaves of some varieties for drinking. L. scoparium is the source of Manuka honey.
Genus of about 85 species of evergreen shrubs and trees occurring in rainforest and semi-arid areas mainly in Australia but also from southeastern asia to New Zealand.
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Evergreen
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Shades of pinkAll shades of pink through to Carmine (red)Cerise pink
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Striped, Veined or Multicoloured
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Height1-2m (3-6½ft)
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Spread1-2m (3-6½ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winterHardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)Under glass use loam-based compost (JI No.3) in full or bright filtered light
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Will grow outside in milder locationsThis could include plants which would survive happily in a greenhouse or conservatory if not in a mild location. If you have a sheltered spot in your garden then it may do well here.
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Against a wallSouth- or west-facing
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Full sunProtect from cold, dry winds
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Partial shade
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Additional FeaturesPests & DiseasesNone.Place of originGarden origin. Warwick Harris, New Zealand.Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Flower ShapeSingleRow of petals round conspicuous stamens - no more than 8 petals
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Garden Location/ConditionsAustralian / New ZealandBorderSuitable for a shrub border in warmer areas
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeElliptic
(see photos above) Ovate(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 5Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
When: Annually after flowering.
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Seasonal InterestSpringSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilModerately fertile
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WildlifeBee friendly
1-2m (3-6½ft)
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1-2m (3-6½ft) |
![LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Burgundy Queen' LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Burgundy Queen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/leptospermum_burgundy_queen_2510a.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Burgundy Queen'
![LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Martini' LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Martini'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/leptospermum_scop_martini_4974s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Martini'
![LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Wiri Linda' LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Wiri Linda'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/leptospermum_scoparium_nanum_wiri_linda_2517x.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Wiri Linda'
![LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Red Damask' LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Red Damask'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/leptospermum_scoparium_red_damask_2519s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Red Damask'
Buy Varieties of LEPTOSPERMUM
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM argenteum](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_argenteum_4795x.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM argenteum
upright silvery leaves and white flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM grandiflorum](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_grandiflorum_6037.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM grandiflorum
single saucer-shaped white flowers in summer and silky hairy white stems. Frost hardy
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM macrocarpum 'Copper Sheen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_macrocarpum_copper_sheen_2506v.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM macrocarpum 'Copper Sheen'
distinctive bronzy-purple young leaves and single white flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM rotundifolia](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_rotundifolium_6038_s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM rotundifolia
(Jervis Bay form) - single pink, sometimes white relatively large flowers. Glossy grey-green leaves
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Burgundy Queen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_burgundy_queen_2510a.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Burgundy Queen'
bronzed foliage, double red flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Coral Candy'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_coral_candy_4796a.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Coral Candy'
double pinkish-white flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Electric Red'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_electric_red.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Electric Red'
single red flowers. Red-tinted green leaves
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Martini'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scop_martini_4974s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Martini'
profuse large pink flowers turning deeper with age
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium nanum 'Kiwi'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scop_nana_kiwi_2515x.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium nanum 'Kiwi'
red flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Pink Cascade'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_pink_cascade_2518b.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Pink Cascade'
prostrate form, single pink
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Red Damask'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_red_damask_2519s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Red Damask'
double dark red flowers and dark green leaves
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Snow Flurry'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_snow_flurry_2521s.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Snow Flurry'
double white
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Winter Cheer'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_winter_cheer_2522.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Winter Cheer'
red-tinted green leaves and semi-double bright red flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Wiri Linda'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_scoparium_nanum_wiri_linda_2517x.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM scoparium 'Wiri Linda'
double white flowers with a hint of pink
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LEPTOSPERMUM 'Silver Sheen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/leptospermum_silver_sheen~4.jpg)
LEPTOSPERMUM 'Silver Sheen'
silvery foliage and red stems. White flowers in summer
Useful extras...
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Vitax_Q4_6202.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/grow_your_own_front_22.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/tomatoe_front.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/rootgrow_6203.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/RootgrowEricoid_6204.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/empathy-allpurpose_6208.jpg)