Leptospermum laevigatum ‘Reevesii’

Reeves coast tea tree
Dense, durable, evergreen shrub with aromatic foliage and white spring flowers. Compact form of a coastal staple, good as a moderate-height screen or container subject.
synonyms Gaudium laevigatum
height 4–6ft
width 6–8ft
tolerates Coast, Deer , Salt, Wind
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 Water this plant infrequently, when the top two inches or so of soil feel dry. Usually this will mean every week or two in dry weather. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every four to six weeks in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it doesn’t run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. This plant will look more lush if given water every two to four weeks during dry weather once established. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.

On the northern and central California coast, established plants can survive on rainfall alone.
hardy
to		 25F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin Cultivar, Australia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 15–17, 19–H1

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

Coast tea tree performs beautifully in seaside locations as well as coastal valleys and hills. This compact form does not grow as quickly or loosely as the standard species, nor does it bloom as showily. A better choice for containers and bonsai.
Good drainage is helpful but not required for success.

Special Interest

Tea tree oil is usually distilled from a different, related species, Melaleuca axillaris.

More Info

The larger growing species from which this variety is derived is widespread in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Santa Monica’s Palisades Park, and other coastal California landscapes. Their unmistakeably picturesque, twisting trunks are a natural climbing gym for kids.
Randy Baldwin of San Marcos Growers writes, “This species was one of the earliest Australian plant introductions in California and was noted to be in a 1871 exhibition in San Francisco under its older name Fabricia laevigata and reported growing in Oakland that same year.“