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leptospermum ericoides

Leptospermum ericoides, commonly known as kanuka, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree that brings both beauty and biodiversity to your garden. Prized for its delicate, aromatic foliage and clouds of tiny white flowers in spring and early summer, leptospermum ericoides is an excellent choice for those seeking an attractive, low-maintenance plant that supports local wildlife. Whether you’re restoring native bush, creating a privacy screen, or simply adding year-round interest to your landscape, this tough species thrives across a variety of garden settings in New Zealand.

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Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring and summer, this hardy manuka variety creates a bold display of colour while providing year round structure and texture in NZ gardens. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for hedging, borders, feature planting, and coastal gardens. Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is easy to grow, low maintenance, and highly effective for adding vibrant colour and native character to outdoor spaces.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

5 from 2 customers

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and summer. This attractive manuka variety adds bold colour, texture, and movement to NZ gardens while providing year round evergreen structure. Its spreading form makes it ideal for banks, retaining walls, containers, and mixed shrub plantings where a softer natural appearance is desired. Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is hardy, low maintenance, and highly effective for adding native character and dramatic seasonal colour to outdoor spaces.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
leptospermum-kiwi-

Leptospermum 'Kiwi'

Leptospermum 'Kiwi' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its fine foliage and masses of small white to soft pink flowers that appear in spring. This...

From$26.93
leptospermum-blossom-2

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...

From$26.93
leptospermum-blossom-queen-

Leptospermum Blossom Queen

Leptospermum Blossom Queen is a fast growing, NZ native shrub that produces stunning flowers. Double, pink flowers are borne in such proliferation...

From$26.93
leptospermum-wiri-linda--6

Leptospermum Wiri Linda

Leptospermum Wiri Linda, also known as Leptospermum scoparium 'Wiri Linda', is a compact New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its profusion of...

From$26.93
leptospermum-coral-candy--6

Leptospermum 'Coral Candy'

Leptospermum 'Coral Candy' is a vibrant evergreen shrub known for its masses of coral pink flowers that create a striking display in spring. The fine...

From$26.93
leptospermum-wairere-

Leptospermum Wairere

Leptospermum Wairere, also known as Leptospermum scoparium Wairere, is a low-growing, spreading New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its profusion...

From$26.93
leptospermum-princess-anne--3

Leptospermum 'Princess Anne'

Leptospermum 'Princess Anne' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its masses of soft pink flowers and fine foliage. Flowering in spring, it...

From$26.93
leptospermum-mesmer-eyes-2

Leptospermum 'Mesmer Eyes'

Leptospermum 'Mesmer Eyes' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its eye catching flowers with contrasting centres that create a mesmerising...

From$26.93
Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' double red flowers.

Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen'

Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its profusion of double burgundy red flowers that appear from spring through...

From$20.18
leptospermum-outrageous-2

Leptospermum 'Outrageous'

Leptospermum 'Outrageous' is a vibrant flowering manuka shrub known for its showy blooms and fine evergreen foliage. This eye catching plant brings...

From$29.63
leptospermum-wiri-shelley-

Leptospermum Wiri Shelley

Leptospermum Wiri Shelly is a variety of Manuka grown for its amazing flowering. It produces masses of single, light pink flowers with a dark centre...

From$26.93
Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' double red flowers with dark green foliage.

Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan'

Leptospermum 'Wiri Joan' is a compact evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking deep red flowers that cover the plant from spring through summer...

From$26.93
leptospermum-crimson-glory--1

Leptospermum 'Crimson Glory'

Leptospermum 'Crimson Glory' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of deep crimson red flowers and fine foliage. Flowering in spring...

From$26.93
leptospermum-merinda-

Leptospermum 'Merinda'

Leptospermum 'Merinda' is a beautiful flowering manuka shrub valued for its masses of colourful blooms and fine evergreen foliage. This attractive...

From$26.93
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.

Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$13.43
Kunzea ericoides (Kanuka) shrub in full flower.

Kunzea ericoides

Kunzea ericoides, commonly known as Kanuka, is a fast-growing, NZ native tree. It features small, dark green leaves that release a pleasant fragrance...

From$8.78
Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Kunzea and Leptospermum, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

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Features and Benefits of Leptospermum ericoides

Leptospermum ericoides has much to offer gardeners looking for resilient and attractive native plants. Growing up to 10 metres tall in the wild (often smaller in cultivation), its fine leaves create a soft texture that works beautifully as a backdrop to other plantings. In the wild, it plays an important ecological role, providing food and shelter for native birds and insects. In spring, the white flowers attract pollinators such as bees, including the famous makers of Kanuka honey.

Thanks to its robust nature, leptospermum ericoides tolerates a range of soil types and can handle coastal conditions, wind, and even light frosts. Its rapid growth rate makes it ideal for shelterbelts, hedges, revegetation projects, or as a nurse plant in a landscape, protecting slower-growing species during establishment.

How to Grow Leptospermum ericoides

Leptospermum ericoides is refreshingly easy to grow, even for novice gardeners. Plant it in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. It prefers slightly acid to neutral soils but adapts to most sites, including exposed hillsides and sandy spots. Once established, leptospermum ericoides is drought hardy and requires little maintenance beyond the occasional trim to maintain your preferred shape.

For mass planting or large gardens, space plants around 2-3 metres apart, allowing them to fill out naturally. If you’re using leptospermum ericoides for hedging or shelter, regular pruning encourages dense, bushy growth.

Companion Leptospermum Varieties

For gardeners who love variety, several other Leptospermum cultivars offer different colours and growth habits. Try pairing leptospermum ericoides with Leptospermum Pink Cascade for a low-growing, pink-flowered groundcover, or choose the vibrant blooms of Leptospermum Mesmer Eyes and Leptospermum Blushing Star for contrasting flower colours in your shrub borders. The richly coloured Leptospermum Red Damask and the classic Leptospermum Blossom extend the range of textures and hues, making your garden display even more eye-catching.

Why Choose Leptospermum ericoides for Your Garden

Incorporating leptospermum ericoides into your garden plan is a smart move for New Zealand gardeners who value resilience, ecological benefits, and classic native beauty. Whether you're after a striking single specimen, a tough hedging plant, or part of a diverse native planting palette, this adaptable kanuka is sure to become a favourite feature. Browse our range of Leptospermum plants to find the ideal matches for your landscape, and enjoy a garden that supports both nature and your sense of style.


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