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Products > Leptospermum laevigatum 'Reevesii'   Leptospermum laevigatum 'Reevesii' - Dwarf Tea Tree     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtles) Origin: Australia (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Spring Height: 4-5 feet Width: 4-5 feet Exposure: Full Sun Seaside: Yes Summer Dry: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F Leptospermum laevigatum 'Reevesii' (Dwarf Tea Tree) - It has similar cultural requirements as Leptospermum laevigatum. Plant in full sun. Drought tolerant. Protect from hot, dry winds. It will grow in seaside conditions. The significant difference between the two is size: 'Reevesii' grows to 3-5 feet tall by a bit wider than tall. The leaves are rounder, a little bigger, and are a bluish-gray. This plant is a slow-grower with a dense and compact overall appearance. It will take temperatures down to about 25 degrees F. The species is common in coastal areas in the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and possibly into South Australia where it grows on sand dunes and cliffs; there it is called Coast Tea Tree. This tree has also grown outside of its native range in other parts of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Hawaii. The genus name come from the Greek word 'leptos' meaning "thin" and 'sperma' meaning "seed" in reference to the small seeds and the specific epithet means "smooth", likely for the smooth hairless leaves. According to the Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants this compact selection originated in the US and the names 'Reevesii' and 'Compacta' are synonymous. Plantsman John McGregor, retired horticulturist from the Huntington Botanic Garden noted that this plant originated back in the 1930s from a congested "witch's broom" mutation on the typical form of the species and was first propagated and distributed by the late, great nursery of Evans and Reeves in Santa Monica. Backing up this stories timeline is the fact that the plant is listed in the 1947 edition of Hortus II but is absent from Hortus I that was published in 1935.  This information about Leptospermum laevigatum 'Reevesii' displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.