Pink-flowered Leptospermums: the most beautiful varieties

Very pale pink: Leptospermum 'Nanum Tui'

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Nanum Tui’ is a dense, rounded dwarf bush, which grows to around 1 metre tall and wide. Leaves are small, evergreen and a striking bronze to burgundy colour. Flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer, are a fairly pale pink and are relatively large for a Leptospermum, reaching up to 1.5 cm in diameter. These flowers are, moreover, particularly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

As with most Leptospermum, ‘Nanum Tui’ prefers a sunny or partly shaded position and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and tolerates poor soils and coastal conditions. It can be used as a low hedge, in a border or as a container plant for patios and balconies. Its compact habit also makes it an excellent plant for rock gardens.

Pale pink with a deep pink centre: Leptospermum 'Apple Blossom'

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Apple Blossom’ is a Leptospermum variety that is particularly attractive. It is a bush of medium growth, typically reaching 1 to 1.5 metres tall, though some specimens may reach up to 2 metres. The leaves are small, evergreen and a rich dark green.

What really distinguishes ‘Apple Blossom’ is its spectacular flowering. From late spring to early summer, the bush is covered with delicate flowers, ranging from pale pink to white with a deep pink centre, reminiscent of apple blossom (hence the name ‘Apple Blossom’).

The ‘Apple Blossom’ variety also enjoys a sunny spot or partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established, and can tolerate poor soils and coastal conditions. Use it in massed borders or along borders, or as a specimen plant in a rock garden, or in a container on a patio or balcony. Its dense foliage also makes it a good choice for a hedge or screen.

Green-centred rose: Leptospermum 'Karo Pearl Star'

The Leptospermum ‘Karo Pearl Star’ producesa stunning two-tone flowering: the five petals are pink, but the centre is green. It flowers well and for a long period, from May to July, and its soft green evergreen foliage. The bush can reach 1.5 m in all directions, sometimes a little more.

The Leptsospermum ‘Karo Spectro Bay’ is very similar to the previous one. Only the colour of the flowers is slightly different: the pink leaning towards purple.

These two leptospermums love sun and well-drained soil. Semi-hardy (down to -8°C), they can be planted in the ground in almost all of France, but in regions with cold, damp winters, one would keep these shrubs in pots and store them in a non-heated room over winter.

Leptospermum ‘Karo Pearl Star’ and ‘Karo Spectro Bay’

Gradient from pale pink to deep pink: Leptospermum 'Martini'

The Leptospermum scoparium ‘Martini’ is a popular and spectacular variety that produces an abundance of single flowers ranging from pale pink to deep pink, from April to June. Wider than tall, it forms a large bush with a spreading habit: 1.50 m high and nearly 2 m wide. Its evergreen foliage is fine, aromatic when brushed, initially silver, then turning green.

Grows in full sun in well-drained soil. It will tolerate down to -8°C in light soil, but it can be grown in a pot and overwintered.

Pink gradient with a pale centre: Leptospermum 'Coral Candy'.

Probably one of the most beautiful varieties of Leptospermum, the Leptospermum scoparium ‘Coral Candy’ is a compact shrub (1.20 m across), whose shoots in spring are clothed with small pink spheres that open into double flowers, in a gradient from pink to a dark centre.

Its foliage is evergreen and consists of relatively fine, slightly prickly, aromatic leaves when crushed.

This Leptospermum or New Zealand tea tree grows very well in a pot and should be moved indoors for frost protection in winter. In regions with mild climates, it can be grown in full sun in light soil, but it will not withstand temperatures below -6°C.

Deep pink: Leptospermum 'Jubilee'

The Leptospermum scoparium ‘Jubilee’ covers its shoots with countless small double flowers in a beautiful purplish pink, almost red, accented by a dark centre. These blooms open tightly pressed against one another, surrounded by bronze-tinged foliage in spring, turning green. This foliage is aromatic when crushed and attractive year-round. This cultivar features a bushy habit and will reach an average height of 1.25 m with a 90 cm spread.

Grow this Leptospermum in full sun in well-drained soil. It is hardy to -6°C in light soil, but it can be grown in a pot to be stored indoors over winter.

Leptospermum Jubilee ( © Tournasol 7 – Wikimedia Commons)