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Products > Leptospermum scoparium 'Star Carpet'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtles) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Fall/Spring |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: Prostrate |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Leptospermum scoparium 'Star Carpet' (Prostrate White Tea Tree) - A spreading evergreen groundcover that stays flat to the ground and grows to 6 to 8 feet wide but can be kept smaller with pruning. The stems are covered by quarter inch long sharp tipped sessile scale-like leaves that are bright green in new growth and darkening with age. In mid spring the plant is covered by the lightly fragrant single white flowers with greenish centers that present themselves well on the foliage, looking like stars against the dark sky. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate only occasionally to infrequently - once established this plant can go extended periods without irrigation in coastal gardens. Like all Leptospermum scoparium however, this cultivar really resents drying out so regular irrigation during the establishment period is key. Cold hardy to around 20°F. This attractive groundcover smothers the ground as an attractive green carpet becoming showy in spring as the white flowers are attractively displayed and it is seldom browsed by deer or rabbits. Leptospermum scoparium is a widespread species ranging across southern Australia from New South Wales and Tasmania west to Western Australia and is also found in New Zealand. The name Leptospermum is from the Greek word 'leptos' meaning "thin" and 'sperma' meaning "seed" in reference to the small seeds and the specific epithet in Latin for "broomlike" as the plant can be used to make a broom or besom and it is sometimes called broom tea-tree for this reason. The common name tea tree for members of the genus dates back to the 1768 when the Captain James Cook first visited New Zealand and Australia and the crew was given a tea made from leaves of a Leptospermum to ward off scurvy. We originally received this Australian selection for trial in 2012 as Leptospermum scoparium UCSC 94.418. It is a 2017 introduction in the UCSC. Arboretum Koala Blooms Australian Native Plant Introduction Program.
This information about Leptospermum scoparium 'Star Carpet' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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