Leptospermum liversidgei - Lemon-Scented Tea Tree

Family:	Myrtaceae
Habit:	Shrub
Height:	4
Synonyms:
Range:	Australia.

Leptospermum liversidgei (Lemon-Scented Tea Tree) is a Shrub which grows to a height of 4m . It has a hardness rating of 8.
Lemon-Scented Tea Tree will flower in December to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Lemon-Scented Tea Tree will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Lemon-Scented Tea Tree prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Lemon-Scented Tea Tree should not be planted in shady areas.

Swamps[156].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Succeed in almost any neutral or acid soil of good or reasonable quality, preferring a light sandy loam and full sun[200]. Prefers a position sheltered from hot or cold drying winds[200]. Only succeeds outdoors in the mild areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[200]. If plants are killed back in cold winters they sometimes sprout afresh from the old wood[219]. This species does not regenerate from old wood[200]. Resents root disturbance[200]. The leaves have a delightful lemon scent[182, 219]. The forms grown in Britain have a very weak scent, is this due to a lack of sun?[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The dried leaves are a tea substitute[183]. Lemon-scented[144, 177].

• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Antibacterial[156].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.

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[78]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 4 - 5 cm with a heel, October/November in a frame. Good percentage[78].

Scented parts of the plants

Leaves : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the leaves[11] is used as a bactericide[156].

• Essential - Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Bean. W.
Author: Bean. W.
Rating:
Publisher : A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
Date of Publication : 1981

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of the Sydney Region
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
Author: Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
Rating:
Publisher : Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
Date of Publication : 1993

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