Leptospermum lanigerum

Uses

The leaves are used as a tea substitute^[3].

Product or use: Tea

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^[1].

Product or use: Wood

Environment

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^[7].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

no shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 8+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy

Soil pH

acid, neutral

Drainage

well drained

Tolerances

high wind

Wind

Yes

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

intolerant

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^[8]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage^[8].

Cultivation

Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality, preferring a light sandy loam and full sun^[5]. Grows best in an acid sandy soil^[7]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds^[5]. 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^[2]. 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^[5]. Does not regenerate from old wood^[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[5].

References

Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

↩

Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

↩

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

↩

Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

↩1 ↩2

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

↩1 ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0