Leptospermum ericoides
| Leptospermum ericoides | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Leptospermum ericoides
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and give some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. The seed remains viable for many years.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, early August in a frame. Over-winter in the greenhouse for its first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Good percentage[1].
Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality, preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[2]. Grows best in an acid sandy soil[3]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[2].
This species is not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c, though there are montane forms that might be hardier[3]. It only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of Britain[2].
Resentful of root disturbance, plants should be pot grown and planted out in their final positions as soon as possible[2].
The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[4].
Plants do not regenerate from old wood[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Lowland to montane shrubland, especially on margins, North and South Islands[5].
Edibility: A refreshing tea can be made from the young shoot tips[6][7].
Medicinal: The leaves and young shoots are antihalitosis, antiphlogistic, astringent, depurative, sedative and stomachic.
Usage: Wood - hard, durable. Used for bridges, shingles etc[8][9]. When burned, it gives off a delicious aroma[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Kunzea ericoides.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.