Leptospermum Karo Spectro Bay - Tea-tree

Leptospermum Karo Spectro Bay, known as the tea tree, is a small and graceful bush. It is very attractive due to the abundance of its small mauve-purple flowers with a green heart and its evergreen and compact tender green foliage.

Native to Australia, this bush reaches 2m (6 to 7 ft) in height and 1m (3 ft) in width and has alternate, single, pointed leaves, quite small (max 1 cm in length). It can be pruned after the flowering period from May to July.

The flowers of Leptospermum Karo Spectro Bay are composed of 5 mauve-purple petals and can reach 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter. They are followed by tiny capsules releasing thin, elongated seeds.

The tea tree can withstand temperatures down to -8°C (17.6 °F) but the aerial parts can be damaged from -5°C (23 °F). It needs a sheltered spot, in full but not scorching sun or light shade, in fertile and well-drained soil. In regions with very cold winters, the plant should be cultivated in a pot and kept frost-free throughout the winter.

Leptospermum Karo Spectro Bay can be planted in a bed or border alongside other ericaceous plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons or maples.

'Leptospermum' means an evergreen bush whose seeds are very small (from the Greek Leptos, "thin", and Karpos, "fruit").