Kunzea ambigua

RHS Plant Profile
Victorian bottle-green tea-tree

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Victorian bottle-green tea-tree RHS
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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