Leptospermum petersonii ( Lemon Scented Tea Tree ) is a shrub or small tree that is native to northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Lemon Scented Tea Tree plants make great hedges, are cold tolerant and have fresh scented flowers and leaves during Summer. They also produce an essential oil that helps with minor cuts, cleaning and as an insect repellent.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Dry, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Lemon Scented Tea Tree is native to coastal regions north of Port Macquarie in New South Wales. Several large plantations help to produce a medicinal type of honey that has anti-bacterial properties. It is also grown commercially in Africa and Central America.
The essential oil is high in citral which lends itself to a number of useful applications. As an air freshener, a cleaning agent and for treating minor cuts and burns. It is also a useful plant in the garden. Attracting bees, providing wind-breaks and adds a fresh aroma to the air.
Growth
Leptospermum petersonii is a native shrub or tree that reaches heights of up to 5 metres (16 feet) but tolerates a regular prune. Though native to the sub-tropics, Lemon Scented Tea Tree grows well in any climate across Australia. There is plantations in tropical regions such as in Central America, dry areas in South Africa and it is a common tubestock in nurseries here in Victoria and further south in Tasmania.
The trees are easy to grow from seed and if started during Spring can adapt easily to the colder temperatures by the following winter. The trunk and stems have a thin, rough flaky bark and the evergreen leaves bushy enough to be a useful screen. Flowering occurs in summer and produces lots of small white blooms with five petals.
FAMILY:
Myrtaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Warm Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10°C to 30°C / -14 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 5 metres (16 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
6.5-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees.
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
20-30%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT LEPTOSPERMUM PETERSONII (Lemon Scented Tea Tree)
Using Lemon Scented Tea Tree oil will help keep your home or office clean and fresh.
Australian aborigines and early European settlers used Lemon Scented Tea Tree to treat colds, coughs, burns, cuts, skin conditions and as a mouth wash.
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs taking around 3-4 hours distillation period.
Honey from Leptospermum is often more expensive because it binds to hive frames with such tenacity that timberwork can break during harvest.
