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ShrubsConservatory Greenhouse

Kunzea ambigua

Victorian bottle-green tea-tree

K. ambigua is an upright-growing evergreen shrub with small, narrow, leathery leaves, ultimately reaching 5m. White, sweetly-scented flowers with long, conspicuous stamens are produced in clusters along the branches in spring

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Myrtaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Kunzea are evergreen shrubs or small trees with small, leathery leaves and bottlebrush flowers with conspicuous stamens

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Australia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool greenhouse in lime-free (ericaceous) compost in full light with good ventilation. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, acid or neutral soil in full sun sheltered from strong and dry winds

Propagation

Propagate by seed surface sown at 5C in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 1; under glass may need restrictive pruning after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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