Alpine Tea Tree - Squiggly
- Scientific Name: Leptospermum rupestre 'Squiggly'
- Garden: Xeriscaping Garden
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
- Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun
- Moisture Requirements: Dry
Plant Information
One of the naturally cold hardiest species of tea tree. This form of Alpine tea tree from Tasmania has a distinctly upright habit. Cinnamon red squiggly stems support tiny pewter colored evergreen foliage. In early summer pink buds spangle the stems opening to pure white single flowers. So prolific is the bloom that the plant appears covered in snow. Vigorous growth to 5′ tall and 3′ wide in 6 years. Full sun and virtually any soil. Summer water is tolerated but far from necessary. Takes pruning incredibly well, including shearing and the leaves are so small that they remain untangled. Pruning immediately leads to a denser plant. Makes a great cold hardy, dense, small, and deer resistant hedge. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. You achieve a much shapelier plant with even a minimal amount of tip pruning. otherwise it has a very wild habit. Cold hardy to 0ºF. Drought adapted. Biome: Deer Resistance, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast Foliage color: Silver/Gray | Foliage season: Evergreen