Leptospermum polygalifolium
| Leptospermum polygalifolium | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Leptospermum polygalifolium
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]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[2].
Only succeeds outdoors in the mild areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[2]. Grows well in coastal areas so long as it is not too exposed[3].
Resents root disturbance[2]. Plants do not regenerate from old wood[2].
Closely related to L. lanigerum[4].
A good bee plant[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: Australia - Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat: Montane areas, especially on fairly poor soils[6][7]. Heaths and dry sclerophyll forests, usually on sandstones and deep sandy soils[8].
Edibility: The leaves are a tea substitute[9][10][11].
Usage: Wood - tough, close grained. Used for poles, stakes, fuel etc[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
Also Known As: L. flavescens. Sm.
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.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.
- ↑ Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.