|
Family: Myrtaceae
Native to: Southeast Australia
Dimensions: shrub to 8 - 12', can reach small tree size after many years
Cold resistance: hardy to 5 - 10°F
Drought resistance: adequate west of the Cascades, but not for desert
Key Features: evergreen with aromatic foliage, white flowers, deer resistant, good container plant when young, easy care
Uses: hedges and screens, coastal plantings, urban plantings, difficult soils including heavy clay/poor drainage, takes well to shearing/shaping, small specimen tree if trained properly
Description:
This exciting tea tree from the mountains of southeast Australia grows into like a robust, pyramidal tall shrub (to 8 - 12' and half as wide) with large leaves compared to the other species, and flowers above the typical size as well. It is similar to L. grandiflorum except that it blooms in late spring, rather than in the fall. The flowers are showy up close, but somewhat tucked into the foliage. No matter: this plant looks great all the time and should be grown for its foliage, form, versatility, and exceptional cold-hardiness. In the December 2008 freeze, all survived being frozen solid for days down to 13°F in their pots with little to no damage, fully exposed; and it can endure a little lower than that in the ground. The name 'Eugene Hardy' is a reference to its proven hardiness in Eugene, Oregon. I have the late plantsman Jim Gerdemann to thank for sharing this plant from his amazing collection.
|
