Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

growing leptospermum

Growing Leptospermum, often known as the New Zealand tea tree or manuka, is a rewarding experience for gardeners looking for hardy, beautiful, and versatile shrubs. With their aromatic foliage and delicate flowers ranging from soft pinks to rich reds, Leptospermum varieties are not only eye-catching but also attract beneficial pollinators like bees. Native to Australasia, these resilient shrubs thrive in a wide range of New Zealand conditions, making them an excellent choice for coastal gardens, native plant schemes, or colourful shrub borders.

Leptospermum 'Martini'

Leptospermum 'Martini' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its profusion of pink flowers with red centres that bloom from spring through summer. Its fine foliage and upright habit make it a versatile feature in NZ gardens. Hardy and easy to grow, it tolerates coastal conditions, dry soils, and windy sites.

Buy Leptospermum 'Martini'

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian

Leptospermum 'Blossom'

Leptospermum 'Blossom' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of soft coloured flowers and fine foliage. Flowering in spring, it creates a beautiful display that adds colour and movement to New Zealand gardens. This hardy and versatile plant performs well in a wide range of conditions.

Buy Leptospermum 'Blossom'

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.00 m

Spread: 1.80 m

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native

Why Grow Leptospermum?

Leptospermum are renowned for their ease of care and drought tolerance, making them ideal for busy gardeners or those in exposed spots. These shrubs are evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest, while their masses of showy blooms add seasonal flair, especially from late winter through spring. Many gardeners choose Leptospermum to create low-maintenance hedges, windbreaks, or striking feature plants in mixed planting schemes.

Best Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

The range of Leptospermum available means there’s a variety for every garden style. Standout cultivars include Leptospermum 'Martini', prized for its glossy foliage and profusion of bright flowers, and the bold Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen', featuring vibrant reddish-purple blooms. Leptospermum Blossom is admired for its softer pink flowers and compact growth, making it perfect for smaller spaces. For a dramatic display, Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' provides swathes of striking deep pink flowers, while Leptospermum 'Pageant' combines ornamental value with resilience, performing well in exposed or coastal locations.

Tips for Growing Leptospermum

Leptospermum thrive in full sun or partial shade and tolerate a wide range of soil types, as long as drainage is good. Avoid waterlogged sites, as these can lead to root problems. When planting Leptospermum, enrich the soil with compost and mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds. While these shrubs are naturally drought-tolerant once established, regular watering while young helps develop a robust root system.

Pruning after flowering will encourage bushy growth and enhance future blooming. Leptospermum respond well to light shaping, making them suitable for clipped hedges, screens, or topiary forms. Feeding Leptospermum is simple—an annual application of general-purpose fertiliser in spring is usually sufficient.

Uses for Leptospermum in Your Garden

Growing Leptospermum offers much more than just aesthetic charm. Their tolerance of wind and salt makes them valuable in coastal areas, and their tough nature allows them to thrive in difficult sites where other shrubs might struggle. The flowers are highly attractive to bees, supporting local biodiversity and even offering the promise of homegrown manuka honey if grown at scale.

Explore our range, including Leptospermum 'Martini', Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen', Leptospermum Blossom, Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan', and Leptospermum 'Pageant', to find the perfect variety for your garden and enjoy the easy rewards of growing Leptospermum.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

growing leptospermum

Leptospermum 'Martini'

Leptospermum 'Blossom'

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Grow Leptospermum?

Best Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Tips for Growing Leptospermum

Uses for Leptospermum in Your Garden

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

growing leptospermum

Leptospermum 'Martini'

Leptospermum 'Blossom'

Did you find what you are looking for?

Why Grow Leptospermum?

Best Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Tips for Growing Leptospermum

Uses for Leptospermum in Your Garden

Contact us

Explore Garden Inspiration

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