NEW ZEALAND TEA TREE
- More a large shrub than a tree, L. scoparium
has many cultivated varieties, growing from about 2 to 12 feet.
'Keatleyi' and 'Pink Pearl,' both with pink flowers, taller cultivars.
- The New Zealand Tea Tree has very small, rounded leaves.
Older specimens develop an interesting shaggy bark that can be
accentuated by pruning. Hardy to 16 degrees F, it does well in
both inland and coastal conditions, tolerating wind and drought
once established. It prefers slightly acidic soils; leaves become
chlorotic (yellow) when planted in soils with a high pH.
- L. laevigatum, the Australian Tea Tree, grows up to 30 feet.
As a single specimen, it can be trained to have a gnarled, twisted
branch pattern. Numerous white flowers in the spring. Culture
similar to L. scoparium.