Leptospermum grandiflorum
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- Subject: Leptospermum grandiflorum
- From: B* W* <b*@pnc.com.au>
- Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 19:04:05 +1000
Peter Lewis wrote:
>Can anyone give me information re Leptospermum grandiflorum, which has
>been growing here for several years without flowering. This year it is
>covered with typical Leptospermum flowers, whitish with pink calyx
>lobes. I am not sure that it is true to name, as I understand there is
>also a L. grandifolium, and the two epithets get confused regularly.
>This one is probably correct, but we would be glad for any tips re
>natural habitat, and culture. It is not a dramatic plant, but soundly
>reliable in every sort of weather that can be thrown at it and is
>growing in full sun. I realise that it is an Aussie as opposed to Kiwi,
>but that is almost as muc information as saying it grows in the world
>Can it be pruned safely to make it more compact and dense in habit?
>Grateful for any help.
>
>Peter Lewis, Cambridge, UK.
I have no personal experience with L.grandiflorum but it (and
L.grandifolium) are both described, with photos, in Wrigley and Fagg's
"Bottlebrushes, Paperbarks and Tea Trees" (Angus and Robertson 1993)
L.grandiflorum is native to Tasmania and is a medium shrub from 1.5 to 5
metres high. Flowers are white to pink and up to 2 cm diameter. Wrigley
and Fagg mention "This species has been grown in the United Kingdom for
many years". Your description seems to match the photograph in the book.
L.grandifolium is native to coast and mountains of southern New South Wales
and eastern Victoria. It's normally a medium shrub to 2 metres but may
reach small tree proportions. White flowers are up to 1.5 cm diameter.
In my experience all Leptospermums tolerate reasonably vigorous pruning and
should certainly be imprioved by cutting back by a third annually. They
grow best in full sun to partial shade and like a moist position.
Best wishes
Brian
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Brian Walters,
Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP)
World Wide Web; http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/
Email; brianwal@pnc.com.au (personal or SGAP)
sgap@ozemail.com.au (SGAP only)
