Brilliant, bright and bold โ Leptospermum is a plant that will perform spectacularly in gardens throughout South Africa.
Leptospermums are indigenous to both Australia and New Zealand where they are commonly called โTea Treeโ and in the latter, โManukaโ.
The common name โTea Treeโ is derived from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked Leptospermum leaves in boiling water to brew a herbal tea rich in Vitamin C. It is further suggested that this tea was used by Captain Cook himself, to prevent scurvy amongst his crew.
In New Zealand, Leptospermum has health benefits more closely associated with Manuka Honey which is produced from bees feeding on the Leptospermum flowers. This honey has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Leptospermums are a vast and diverse species, with several varieties making superb garden plants with low maintenance and hardy properties.
Leptospermum โCherry Brandyโ is a popular dwarf cultivar that grows to a height of around 0.5m. This compact evergreen variety produces a mass of โcherry redโ flowers during flowering, resulting in a blaze of brilliant colour that will transform any flower bed! The small leaves are aromatic and dark green in colour with wine red tinges. New foliage growth is brilliant red in colour and as such Leptospermum โCherry Brandyโ is almost always in some form of colour in the garden.
Leptospermums should be transplanted with care but once established are easy to grow requiring low maintenance. They perform well in full sun positions and prefer sandy, well composted soils with good drainage being essential. They also make excellent container plants!
Leptospermums are hardy, drought and wind tolerant plants that perform well in sandy coastal conditions and tolerate salt spray. As they thrive in dry conditions they are an excellent water-wise plant that can be grown successfully in most parts of the country.
Leptospermum โCherry Brandyโ is at its best during August and September but buds can start to develop as early as May giving it a very long flowering season. Stunning specimens will be readily available through retailers throughout the country at this time.
Eastern Cape Stockists:
Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Floradale Nursery – East London
Red Leaf Nursery – Port Alfred
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Queenstown
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Express – Walmer
Builders Express – Walker drive
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth
Free Stateย Stockists:
Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Harrismith Kwekery – Harrismith
Plants@Preller – Bloemfontein
Platberg Nursery – Harrismith
Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein
Gautengย Stockists:
4 Seasons Nursery – Heidelberg
Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Brandmullers
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
GardenShop Broadacres
GardenShop Bryanston
GardenShop Flora Farm
GardenShop Menlo Park
GardenShop Parktown North
Lifestyle Home Gardenย – Randburg
Montrose Nursery – Morningside
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Safari Tuinsentrum – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg
Limpopo Stockists:
Mpumalangaย Stockists:
Garden Pavilion – Montana
Garden Pavilion – White River
North West Stockists:
Clarks Tuinsentrum – Lichtenburg
Garden Pavilion – Potchefstroom
Western Cape Stockists:
Cape Garden – Joostenbergvlakte
Cape Garden – Somerset West
Cape Garden – Stellenbosch
Starke Ayres Garden Centre –ย Rosebank
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Kenilworth
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Express – Stellenbosch
Builders Express – Willowbridge
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – George
Builders Warehouse – Helderberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg
**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**
