Leptospermum lanigerum
| Leptospermum lanigerum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Leptospermum lanigerum
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, 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]. Another report says that it tolerates fairly exposed positions and that has been our experience with it[K].
Hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, where it succeeds in sun or shade, it only succeeds outdoors in mild areas of Britain, requiring the protection of a wall in colder parts. Plants are hardy to about -15°c in Britain[4].
Polymorphic[5]. There are two distinct forms grown in Britain, one with smallish greyish leaves is sometimes known as L. cunninghamii, the second form has larger narrow glossy green leaves[6].
Plants seldom grow taller than about 2 metres in Britain.
Resents root disturbance[2]. Does not regenerate from old wood[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat: Mountainous areas and down to the coast[4]. Wet heathland, open eucalyptus forest and by streams[3].
Edibility: The leaves are used as a tea substitute[7].
Usage: This species can be grown as a hedge in positions that are not too exposed. When trimming, however, the plants should not be cut back into old wood because they will not grow back.
Wood - tough, close grained. Used for poles, stakes, firewood etc[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: L. pubescens.
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 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 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.