Leptospermum

The genus Leptospermum contains about 70 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees. They have small regular stiff leaves, sometimes almost turned into spines, and tiny waxy flowers, single or grouped in 2-3 in the axils of the leaves. Calyx bell-shaped of 5 lobes, 5 petals, many stamens. The fruit is a dry, hard box with grooves. Leptospermum scoparium is the most well-known and widespread species. A fairly unpretentious plant, which is formed as a bush or tree (there are also dwarf and creeping forms). The leaves are oblong, pointed, prickly dark green. The small flowers are white or pink, blooming in May. The following varieties and decorative forms are popular: 'White terry' with white double flowers; varieties 'Pink Glory' are characterized by brown-green leaves and flowers of intense red-pink color; 'Prostrate' - a creeping form with partially raised edges. shoots and light pink, long-lasting flowers on the plant; 'Dwarf' - a low-growing form with numerous pink flowers; the variety 'Merry Girl' - with pink flowers, and 'Ruby Glow' - with ruby-red ones. Leptospermum humifusum (L. humifusum, or L. scoparium prostratum) is a creeping species often used as a groundcover. It is more- hardy than leptospermum rod-shaped. The bark of the shoots is reddish, the leaves are oblong-pointed leathery dark green small. The flowers are white and bloom in May. Leptospermum thyme (L thymifolia, or L. liversidgei) is an unpretentious compact species with numerous small leaves that emit, if rubbed, a lemon aroma. The flowers are white.

The genus Leptospermum contains about 70 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees. They have small regular stiff leaves, sometimes almost turned into spines, and tiny waxy flowers, single or grouped in 2-3 in the axils of the leaves. Calyx bell-shaped of 5 lobes, 5 petals, many stamens. The fruit is a dry, hard box with grooves.

Leptospermum scoparium is the most well-known and widespread species. A fairly unpretentious plant, which is formed as a bush or tree (there are also dwarf and creeping forms). The leaves are oblong, pointed, prickly dark green. The small flowers are white or pink, blooming in May. The following varieties and decorative forms are popular: 'White terry' with white double flowers; varieties 'Pink Glory' are characterized by brown-green leaves and flowers of intense red-pink color; 'Prostrate' - a creeping form with partially raised edges. shoots and light pink, long-lasting flowers on the plant; 'Dwarf' - a low-growing form with numerous pink flowers; the variety 'Merry Girl' - with pink flowers, and 'Ruby Glow' - with ruby-red ones.

Leptospermum humifusum (L. humifusum, or L. scoparium prostratum) is a creeping species often used as a groundcover. It is more- hardy than leptospermum rod-shaped.

The bark of the shoots is reddish, the leaves are oblong-pointed leathery dark green small. The flowers are white and bloom in May.

Leptospermum thyme (L thymifolia, or L. liversidgei) is an unpretentious compact species with numerous small leaves that emit, if rubbed, a lemon aroma. The flowers are white.

Cultivation

Leptospermum rob-shaped in the open ground is grown as an ornamental profusely flowering shrub only in areas with a mild climate, mainly seaside. The species is also grown in pots as a balcony plant, which is transferred to the house in early autumn. Creeping species are used as groundcover plants. Planted in the garden in spring, in neutral or slightly acidic well-drained soil, fertilized with well-rotted manure or compost at the rate of 15-20 kg/m2. The substrate for potted plants is made from a mixture of peat and garden soil (1:1) with the addition of a small amount of sand to improve drainage. In spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Leptospermum rob-shaped in the open ground is grown as an ornamental profusely flowering shrub only in areas with a mild climate, mainly seaside. The species is also grown in pots as a balcony plant, which is transferred to the house in early autumn. Creeping species are used as groundcover plants. Planted in the garden in spring, in neutral or slightly acidic well-drained soil, fertilized with well-rotted manure or compost at the rate of 15-20 kg/m2. The substrate for potted plants is made from a mixture of peat and garden soil (1:1) with the addition of a small amount of sand to improve drainage. In spring, once every 15-20 days, a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Location

Leptospermums require a place in the open sun.

Temperature

All species tolerate significant temperature increases well in summer. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 0-7 °C. Leptospermum rob-shaped is especially sensitive to low temperatures. Therefore, in areas with cold winters, this species is not grown in the open ground.

Watering

It is only required for young plants immediately after planting in a permanent place. Adult specimens are highly resistant to drought. When growing Leptospermum in a pot, watering should be regular.

Transplant

It is carried out once every 2 years in spring in larger pots and the same soil that is recommended for cultivation.

Care

In the spring, dry, damaged or unsightly branches are removed.

Reproduction

Use semi-lignified cuttings of the current year with a "heel", 5-6 cm long. Cut in June-July, for rooting they are planted in separate cups filled with a mixture of peat and sand. The room temperature is maintained at 16 °C. After the roots are formed, the cuttings are transplanted into a larger container and left for the winter indoors. In a permanent place, seedlings are planted in the spring of next year. Seed propagation is rarely used.

Diseases

With prolonged waterlogging of the soil, sometimes rotting of the roots is observed. Affected plants are removed. Therefore, pay attention to the soil in which you plant the plant. On alkaline soils, leptospermums suffer from chlorosis. In this case, top dressing with iron-containing micro-fertilizers is recommended.

Acquisition

Leptospermums can be found in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries with a wide range of crops. Seedlings are purchased in the spring and immediately planted in a permanent place to enjoy their flowering all season. Choose small but well-formed plants.