Leptospermum scoparium Coral candy - Tea-tree

Leptospermum scoparium 'Coral Candy' is a charming variety of New Zealand tea tree with double flowering and a compact habit, characteristics that make this delicate bush a very beautiful plant for a sunny terrace. In spring its branches are covered with a myriad of buds that open into many small double flowers, with a gradient of pinks and a black centre.  Native to Oceania, the Manuka is a little delicate, but it is not very picky about the nature of the soil and is resistant to drought. Its cultivation in open ground is reserved for mild climates, but it accepts pot cultivation very well, to be stored away in winter.

Originally from the far southeast of Australia and New Zealand, Leptospermum scoparium, also known as New Zealand Myrtle or Tea tree, is a cousin of Mediterranean myrtles, cloves and Eucalyptus. It belongs to the same family, the Myrtaceae, and shares with them a love of heat as well as foliage enriched with essential oil. It grows naturally in regions with a mild coastal climate but also in dry forests, most often on soil poor in minerals, leached and rather acidic, and forms a large bush 3 m (10 ft) tall and wide. It can withstand temperatures down to -8°C but the aerial parts can be damaged from -5°C.

The 'Coral Candy' cultivar has a compact and bushy habit and double flowers. This bush will reach on average 1.40m (4.5 ft) in height and 1.20m (4 ft) in spread. It is provided with slightly aromatic, alternate, single, fine and pointed, rather small leaves, 1.5cm (0.6 in) long, grey-green in colour, which persist in winter. The flowers, slightly fragrant, honey and nectar bearing, appear for 5 weeks from April-May in a warm climate, later on in colder regions. Measuring about 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter, they are composed of a double rank of petals that gradually change from intense pink to soft pink, surrounding a very dark heart. They are followed by small capsules releasing fine elongated seeds. This bush can be lightly pruned after flowering, from May to July.

The 'Coral Candy' tea tree is planted in a shrub bed or in a large pot on the terrace. Pair it with e.g. other Australian or New Zealand bushes such as Callistemon, Grevillea, Melaleuca or Olearia scilloniensis - plants that should thrive under the same growing conditions. Myrtles, evergreen Ceanothus (Skylark, Concha), large cistuses (Cistus laurifolius, Citus (x) aguilari), and Feijoa are also good companions for this tea tree. In regions with very cold winters this plant should be grown in a pot and kept frost-free all winter long. 

Leptospermum means "thin seed" and its common English name of tea tree comes from Captain Cook and his crew, who used its leaves to prevent scurvy.