Practical
Plants

Leptospermum laevigatum

Coast Tea Tree

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Leptospermum genus in the family Myrtaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Myrtaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
9 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves are used for making tea[2].

Product or use
Tea

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An effective sand binder, it can be planted for soil stabilization[1]. Can be grown as a hedge, especially in maritime areas[1].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Earth stabiliser

Environment

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[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[4]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality[1], 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[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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