The Myrtaceae plant family is well represented in the Australian flora. Eucalypts, Callistemons, Leptospermums, and Melaleucas are all well known members of this cosmopolitan plant family.
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This time we will concentrate on the Leptospermums or tea trees. This common name may be due to the making of tea, from the foliage, in colonial days.
Tea trees are found, not only in Australia, but also in South-East Asia and New Zealand. Australia is home to about 80 species with nine of these native to our region.
Most tea trees develop into medium to tall shrubs with aromatic foliage. Flowers are five-petalled with an insect attracting, nectar-filled depression in the centre. Flower colours include white, pink and red. The blooms are followed by hard, woody fruits that contain a number of seeds.
The fruits usually persist on the plant for many years only releasing their packet of seeds if the plant is burnt or a stem broken off. A few Tea Trees release their seeds when the fruits have matured.
Leptospermums have proved to be hardy and free flowering in cultivation. Once established they have low water requirements and are drought resistant. An occasional light pruning will resist the plants tendency to become straggly.
Leptospermum brevipes, the Grey Tea Tree, is one of our local species. It is common throughout the area but comes into its own around Tea Tree Creek, west of Armidale. Grey Tea Tree is the dominant shrub here and has lent its name to the creek.
Leptospermum brevipes is a tall shrub with pendulous branches and small, grey leaves. In spring plants become covered in small white flowers that contrast nicely with the foliage. The flowers are followed by the usual woody fruits but in this case they open at maturity and release their seeds.
The grey tea tree could be grown in a specimen clump or incorporated in a tall hedge or screen.
Leptospermum rotundifolium, the round-leaved tea tree is a native of southern NSW and grows into a medium to tall shrub with small shiny aromatic leaves. Large flowers are 2.5 centimetres across, with colours ranging from white to deep pink and mauve. Spring is when the large, colourful flowers clothe the plants. The blooms are the largest of any tea tree.
There is an interesting ground covering form known as “Julie Ann”.
Leptospermum rotundifolium be it the shrub form or ground cover is an outstanding plant.
Leptospermum “Rudolph” is a hybrid developed by a nursery in southern NSW. “Rudolph” is an upright shrub that will reach a height of two metres. The leaves are linear in shape, aromatic with a burgundy colour. In summer a profuse of red blooms cover the branches.
The foliage provides a contrast with the conspicuous flowers. The foliage provides its own colour when flowering has finished. A light prune after flowering is appreciated.
Leptospermum “Rudolph” is our favourite tea tree.
One of the parents of “Rudolph” is Leptospermum spectabile, a rare species from the Colo River near Windsor.
These are just a few tea trees that are worthy of cultivation in local gardens.