Common name
Heath Tea-Tree; Silky Tea-Tree
Position
Full sun
Flower shape and colour
Open petalled, white or pink
Form
Medium Shrub (Usually between 1.2m & 3.6m)
Suitability for landscaping
Can be used as a screen, barrier informal or formal hedge for wider verges, parks and reserves. Fast growing and responds well to pruning. Useful for poorly drained sites. Vigorous root system useful for soil control but can may restrict growth of other plants in close proximity. Attracts nectar eating birds and butterflies. Dense copses are excellent refuges for native birds.
(Botanic Gardens of South Australia | Leptospermum myrsinoides )
Propagation
From cuttings or seed. Use cuttings to retain colour. (Wrigley, Fagg, 2012, p. 407).
Cultivation
Fast growing and responds well to pruning. Useful for poorly drained sites. Tube stock is available at Native nurseries, notably at the SA State flora nursery (SA State flora catalogue, p. 26.
References | acknowledgements
- Atlas of living Australia 2025, Leptospermum myrsinoides | Heath Tea-Tree. Provides information about the spread of the species of Leptospermum myrsinoides shrub across South Australia and other parts of Australia.
- Botanic Gardens of South Australia 2025, Leptospermum myrsinoides | Heath Tea-tree, Silky Tea-tree. Provides information about the plant features and uses of the Native shrub: Leptospermum myrsinoides.
- CHAH 2025, Gaudium myrsinoides. This page indicates that Leptospermum myrsinoides has been reclassified as Gaudium myrsinoides, a change of genus based on DNA evidence.
- Seeds of South Australia 2025, Leptospermum myrsinoides (Myrtaceae) | Heath Tea-tree. Provides information about the distribution, plant characteristics, as well as seed collection and viability.
- Yarra Ranges Council 2025, Leptospermum myrsinoides. Provides information about the plant characteristics including the suitability of the Leptospermum myrsinoides as a streetscape shrub.>.