{"product_id":"leptospermum-scoparium","title":"Leptospermum scoparium | Manuka","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLeptospermum scoparium\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as \u003cstrong\u003eManuka\u003c\/strong\u003e or the \u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand tea tree\u003c\/strong\u003e, is a dainty evergreen shrub that brings a soft, exotic charm to a warm corner of the garden. Fine, aromatic, needle-like leaves clothe wiry stems that in early summer all but disappear beneath a haze of small, five-petalled flowers in white, pink or red depending on the form. It is a pretty, understated exotic for a sheltered border or a pot on a sunny patio, and the bees adore it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness and seasonality:\u003c\/strong\u003e manuka is borderline hardy in Britain (the RHS rate the species H4) and is at its best in mild, coastal and southern gardens. The key thing to understand is that cold on its own is rarely the problem. Cold teamed with sodden ground is what harms it: soil that freezes while waterlogged in winter is the true undoing of this plant, whereas a sharp frost in free-draining ground is generally taken in its stride. Give it a warm, sheltered spot, keep the roots on the dry side through winter, and fleece it during hard frosts while it settles in. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics: what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal pointers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, ideally against a south or west facing wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e free-draining, neutral to acid soil. It dislikes chalk and will not tolerate heavy, wet ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow, bushy shrub reaching around 1.5 to 2.5 m over 5 to 10 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e shield it during hard frosts and, most of all, never let it sit in cold, sodden soil through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to establish a strong root system, after which manuka becomes impressively drought-tolerant. It is a natural partner for other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e in a sunny \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e, thrives in the sharp drainage of a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003econtainer on the patio\u003c\/a\u003e, and shines in mild \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal gardens\u003c\/a\u003e where salt-laden air is no obstacle. As one of the finest nectar plants you can grow, it is a magnet for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003ebees and pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e right through its long flowering season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy, well-branched shape and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57974459924863,"sku":"LEPTSCOP17","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2245197571.jpg?v=1784325415","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/leptospermum-scoparium","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}