Leptospermum laevigatum
| Leptospermum laevigatum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 30' |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Leptospermum laevigatum (common name: coast tea tree)
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. Good percentage[1].
Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[1].
Cultivation: Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality[2], preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[3]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[3].
Only succeeds outdoors in the mild areas of Britain[3].
Resents root disturbance[3].
Does not regenerate from old wood[3].
A good bee plant[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.
Habitat: Found mainly on sand dunes and the coastlines of south and south-east Australia, occasionally inland on sandy soils, often in harsh windswept places where it only grows about 1 metre tall[2].
Edibility: The dried leaves are used for making tea[4].
Usage: An effective sand binder, it can be planted for soil stabilization[2].
Can be grown as a hedge, especially in maritime areas[2].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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 Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.