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Shrubs

Leptospermum rupestre

prostrate tea tree

A prostrate or spreading evergreen shrub with small, aromatic, ovate leaves which become bronze or purple in winter. Flowers white, 10mm in width

Synonyms

Leptospermum scoparium var. prostratum misapplied
Leptospermum grandifolium var. compactum
see moreLeptospermum prostratum
Leptospermum humifusum

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Leptospermum are aromatic evergreen shrubs or small trees with small, often silky leaves and 5-petalled flowers in late spring and summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Australia (Tasmania)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, warm, sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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