Tea Bush, Tea Tree, Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

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Clare_CA Ventura, United States(Zone 10b) Mar 28, 2005

Tea Bush, Tea Tree, Manuka
Leptospermum scoparium

Remarkable in bloom.

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joyfaye El Paso, TX Mar 30, 2005

Not sure earlier message made it through so I'll try again on the off-chance that it didn't.

I really like the looks of this tree/plant . Do you think it would grow in zone 8? To what size does it reach at maturity? Is this where tea tree oil comes from? Will really appreciate any info you are able to provide.

Thanks, jk

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Clare_CA Ventura, United States(Zone 10b) Mar 30, 2005

Hi jk, I don't believe this is where tea tree oil comes from, but I don't know for sure. The hardiness for New Zeland Tea Tree is Zone 9a so I don't think it will survive in Zone 8, but I have no experience about whether it will come back from the roots if it is killed to the ground by freeze. I'm pretty sure that my trees have reached their maturity, and they are about 8 feet tall. People use them as hedges around here, but I prefer a more natural look. You could always grow one in a container and move it inside for the winter.

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garygardener Nowra, Australia(Zone 10a) Apr 01, 2005

Hi Clare, jk

i dont know about the hardiness either, ita pretty common in Au but usually to - 6 celcius maybe..
Tea tree oil actually comes from a different plant, same family and similar looking....
Melaleuca alternifolia. That is the one used for commercial production in Australia and overseas, usually selected forms witha higher oil content.
We went to a plantation when on Hols in Northern NSW, very useful product!
This is a photo of my wife and babe at the Tea Tree maze
The plantation is called Thursday Island Tea Tree and may have a website, they had heaps of history and general info at the visitors centre there

Hope this is of interest
Gary

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Clare_CA Ventura, United States(Zone 10b) Apr 01, 2005

Hi Gary! That place is so neat! It must be beautiful and peaceful to wander through the maze. Thanks for the info and the picture.

Yes, tea tree oil is wonderful. I just love the colorful flowers of this shrub. It really brightens up a garden.

Here is my other lighter pink one:

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garygardener Nowra, Australia(Zone 10a) Apr 03, 2005

Thanks Clare,

it was fun and interesting at the same time, they also had a yearly sculpture competition and paid the winner to keep in the grounds. I also dug up a photo taken last spring ( Sept 04) of a nice Lepto in a garden open for daffodil showing, very rural area about 3 hours drive inland from Sydney

Bye 4 now
gary

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Clare_CA Ventura, United States(Zone 10b) Apr 03, 2005

Beautiful! Thanks, Gary!

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