Australian Tea Tree

Looking after your Australian Tea Tree

This unusual tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is surprisingly hardy and will do well in a sunny spot in the garden.

These trees can live for decades and in the right spot can grow to a sizeable tree over 20 feet tall. Like most trees they don’t need a lot of pruning or care but pick a spot where they have room to grow and where they can be protected from hard frosts. As their name suggests they originate in Australia so, unless your garden is particularly sheltered, they will need to be moved into a cold greenhouse or room in the house in the winter months.

Whilst your plant is in a small pot it will need regular watering. Aim to water it heavily and then allow the top of the compost to dry out before watering heavily again. As soon as practical your Australian tea tree will benefit from being potted up in a much larger pot (or planted out if you don’t get frost in your garden). Add a top dressing of well rotted manure or other rich compost to help your plant settle in.

There fragrant leaves are prized for their fragrant oils and antiseptic properties.

Problem solving Your plant shouldn’t need much feeding but if you are keeping it in the small pot for a while or the leaves start to appear yellow then a good general purpose feed will always give it a good boost.

Australian tea trees are reasonably hardy but if we do have particularly cold spells (below freezing) then a fleece or heavy straw mulch will give your plant a bit more protection or alternatively you may consider moving it inside in the winter months. If some of the leaves do get damaged in frost just prune them off and your tree will put on new growth in the spring.

For more information about your tea tree or our other gift plants visit www.plants4presents.co.uk or call 01825 721162

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