Leptospermum petersonii
| Leptospermum petersonii | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 15' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Leptospermum petersonii (common name: lemon 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: Succeeds in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality, preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[2]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[2].
This species is not very cold-tolerant, it only succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[2]. Plants are slightly frost-tender in Australian gardens[3].
Plants resent root disturbance and should be put out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[2].
Does not regenerate from old wood[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: Australia.
Edibility: The leaves are used to brew a strongly aromatic tea, or they can be added as a flavouring to china tea[4]. They are strongly lemon-scented[5].
Medicinal: The leaves, and especially the essential oil obtained from them, is antibacterial[6].
Usage: An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as a bactericide[6].
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
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.
- ↑ Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.