Tea trees
Botanical name: Leptospermum
Tea trees
Botanical name: Leptospermum
Description
The tea trees (genus Leptospermum) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, tea trees are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from tea trees, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Species of Tea trees
Broom tea-tree 'Martini'
Broom tea-tree 'Martini' attracts attention throughout the year with ornamental foliage and flowers in spring. Its parentage and the meaning of its name are unknown. Broom tea-tree 'Martini' offers gardeners a hardy plant that can adapt to difficult soils and supplies food for bees. It is also highly adaptable and can be found in windy, salty, or sunny areas.
Broom tea-tree 'Ruby Glow'
Broom tea-tree 'Ruby Glow' is distinct for its bright red double flowers. A cultivar of Leptospermum scoparium, its name derives from its bold coloring. Gardeners appreciate the ornamental value of its flowers and foliage as well as its tolerance for drought and poor soil. Broom tea-tree 'Ruby Glow' is also noted to make a great flowering hedge.
Common tea tree
Common tea tree (Leptospermum polygalifolium) is an evergreen tree that will grow from 3.5 to 5 m tall with a 1.8 to 2.5 m spread. It blooms profusely in spring with white flowers with wispy green centers. Foliage is reddish-purple. Prefers full sun and is tolerant of seaside conditions. Needs protection from hot, dry wind.
Coast tea tree
Coast tea tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) is a flowering shrub native to southeastern Australia that has also been introduced in other continents and islands. It is very salt-resistant, so it can be used to stabilize sand dunes and beaches. The small fruits sport a wheel-spoke pattern on top and drop off the branches soon after maturing.
Broom tea-tree 'Red Ensign'
Broom tea-tree 'Red Ensign'is an evergreen tea tree cultivar named for its unique red color. It develops a flush of deep pink-crimson flowers with dark centers and double-layered petals that bloom in late spring. The leaves also turn red and have a unique scent when crushed. This plant is often used as an ornamental shrub and adds a lovely pop of color to any garden.
Broom tea-tree 'Nichollsii'
The broom tea-tree 'Nichollsii' (genus Leptospermum scoparium 'Nichollsii') are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, broom tea-tree 'Nichollsii' are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from broom tea-tree 'Nichollsii', they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Broom tea-tree 'Snow White'
Broom tea-tree 'Snow White' is a Broom tea-tree cultivar, noted for its tiny, rose-like, white blooms with green centers. The cultivar's foliage is no less interesting, particularly during the cool weather when the needle-like leaves become tinged with pink. In warm climates, broom tea-tree 'Snow White' is prized as an ornamental plant that gives year-round interest, both with its foliage and the flowers. The cultivar name probably comes from the color of its blossoms.
Broom tea-tree 'Red Damask'
This cultivar of the Broom tea-tree is more compact, with rounded, dense branches that create a small, aromatic evergreen shrub. The broom tea-tree 'Red Damask' also has full double blooms with deeply red colored flowers. It is about two feet shorter in height than the original plant.
Broom tea-tree
Broom tea-tree (Leptospermum scoparium) is an upright evergreen shrub that blooms with showy white, pink, or red flowers. The flowers eventually fall off and are replaced by seed capsules. Broom tea-tree wood is regularly used in tool handles and when burnt can imbue meat with a pleasant smoky flavor.
Weeping tea tree
Weeping tea tree typically grows near creeks and rivers where water is abundant. This species is known to attract wattlebirds and honeyeaters. Weeping tea tree makes a great addition to any garden since it can be easily grown with cuttings, half-ripened tips, or seeds.
Alpine tea-tree
The alpine tea-tree (genus Leptospermum rupestre) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, alpine tea-tree are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from alpine tea-tree, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Leptospermum turbinatum
The leptospermum turbinatum (genus Leptospermum turbinatum) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, leptospermum turbinatum are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from leptospermum turbinatum, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Large-fruited tea tree
The large-fruited tea tree (genus Leptospermum macrocarpum) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, large-fruited tea tree are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from large-fruited tea tree, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Large-leaf yellow teatree
The large-leaf yellow teatree (genus Leptospermum morrisonii) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, large-leaf yellow teatree are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from large-leaf yellow teatree, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Ngungun may bush
The ngungun may bush (genus Leptospermum luehmannii) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, ngungun may bush are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from ngungun may bush, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Prickly tea-tree
Prickly tea-tree (Leptospermum continentale) is a shrub with interesting spiked leaves and abundant white flowers that reward ornamental growth. It is often grown as a hedge when it becomes bushy and the flowers attract butterflies with their nectar. Australian Aboriginal people used this shrub's wood to make spears and pegs.
Woolly tea-tree
The woolly tea-tree (genus Leptospermum lanigerum) are a diverse group of flowering trees and small shrubs in the myrtle family. Sporting showy flowers and often quite drought tolerant, woolly tea-tree are popular ornamental plants, especially in the Antipodes (where they are native) and the western United States. When bees exclusively source their nectar from woolly tea-tree, they produce a honey that is marketed as Manuka Honey, which is almost exclusively grown in New Zealand and is thus strongly associated with that country.
Scientific Classification
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