Leptospermum petersonii - Evergreen Trees Direct

Leptospermum petersonii

$340.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Leptospermum petersonii is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Leptospermum petersonii

Leptospermum petersonii releases a powerful fresh lemon scent whenever the foliage is brushed or crushed, which makes it the obvious choice for a hedge along a path, a driveway or a boundary where people pass close by. Masses of small white flowers cover it through spring and summer.

The Lemon Scented Tea Tree grows to 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, branching densely from ground level. It clips well into a formal hedge, works as an informal screen or windbreak, and can be lifted to a single trunk as a small feature tree.

This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor soils, coastal exposure and extended dry once established. It grows in full sun to part shade and needs only a trim after flowering.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Leptospermum petersonii

How tall does Leptospermum petersonii grow?

It grows to 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, branching densely from ground level. It is easily held at 2 metres as a clipped hedge.

Why does it smell of lemon?

The foliage contains citral, the same aromatic compound found in lemon myrtle and lemongrass. Brushing or crushing the leaves releases a strong fresh lemon scent.

Can Leptospermum petersonii be used as a hedge?

Yes. It is one of the better native hedging plants, holding density under regular clipping. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense screen.

When does it flower?

Masses of small white flowers appear through spring and summer, attracting bees, native pollinators and small insect-feeding birds.

Is Leptospermum petersonii frost hardy?

Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and also tolerates coastal exposure and extended dry.

Is the foliage useful for anything?

The leaves can be used to make a fragrant lemon-scented tea, and the essential oil is commercially distilled. The scent also deters some insects.

When should I prune it?

Trim after the main flowering flush finishes. Regular light trimming keeps the plant dense from the base and prevents it becoming leggy and open.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Windbreak
Feature Tree
Street Tree
Shrubs

Leptospermum petersonii works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Leptospermum petersonii Evergreen or Deciduous?

Leptospermum petersonii is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Leptospermum petersonii is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Leptospermum petersonii

Leptospermum petersonii is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Leptospermum petersonii

Is Leptospermum petersonii frost tolerant?

Leptospermum petersonii is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Leptospermum petersonii Flower?

Leptospermum petersonii produces masses of small white, five-petalled flowers from late spring through summer. These delicate blooms line the slender aromatic foliage, adding a soft seasonal display that complements the tree’s fresh lemon scent.

Does Leptospermum petersonii flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

White

Is Leptospermum petersonii an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Leptospermum petersonii is Native to Eastern Australia, particularly Queensland and New South Wales, where it grows naturally in open forests and along ridges.

What is the Wildlife Value of Leptospermum petersonii ?

Its nectar-rich blooms attract native bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, while the dense evergreen canopy provides shelter and foraging habitat for small birds. The fine foliage also supports insects and microfauna, enhancing biodiversity in native and cottage-style gardens.

How much Sunlight does Leptospermum petersonii need?

Leptospermum petersonii will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Leptospermum petersonii performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with coarse sand and organic matter to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the plant matures to support drought resilience, healthy aromatic foliage and prolific flowering.

Is Leptospermum petersonii Drought Tolerant?

Is Leptospermum petersonii Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established the Lemon-Scented Tea Tree develops good to excellent drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and coastal conditions and maintains healthy, fragrant growth with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Leptospermum petersonii

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Leptospermum petersonii

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Leptospermum petersonii is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Leptospermum petersonii

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Leptospermum petersonii in Different Soil

Leptospermum petersonii performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to plant Lemon-Scented Tea Tree?
Planting in early spring or fall is ideal to allow the plant to establish in moderate temperatures.
How often should I water my Lemon-Scented Tea Tree?
Regular watering is important during the establishment phase and in periods of prolonged drought.
Is Leptospermum petersonii prone to any pests or diseases?
It is generally a hardy plant but should be monitored for common garden pests and diseases.
Can Lemon-Scented Tea Tree be used for culinary or medicinal purposes?
While known for its aromatic leaves, it's primarily used for ornamental purposes and not widely used in cooking or medicine.
What are the benefits of planting a Lemon-Scented Tea Tree?
Its aromatic foliage, attractive flowers, and adaptability make it a valuable and appealing addition to diverse landscapes, particularly in gardens where sensory experience is a focus.