Lemon Bun Tea Tree

Lemon Bun Tea Tree (Leptospermum obovatum 'Lemon Bun') is a neat, dense native shrub about 1m tall and wide, with small oval leaves that smell of lemon and open, creamy-white flowers. It is a tidy selection of a creek-edge species that is usually sprawling and leggy, so it suits hedges, mixed beds and pots.

Why you'll love it

• Neat and dense. Breeding has tamed the parent's open, leggy habit into a bushy shrub that fills out evenly.
• Lemon-scented leaves. Brush the foliage and it releases a fresh lemon fragrance.
• Adaptable. Grows in sun or shade, and once established tolerates frost, drought and salt spray as well as wet soil.
• Good for wildlife. Butterflies and small native birds visit the flowers and shelter in the dense growth.
• Almost no pruning. It doesn't need it, but clips happily if you want a formal shape.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 70cm apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs meet in about two seasons and form a dense hedge of about 1m, which can be clipped lightly after flowering.

Wildlife and coastal gardens. It handles salt spray and brings small birds and butterflies into native plantings.

Mixed beds and containers. A single plant in a large pot makes a scented feature by the door, and it adds a fine texture to mixed borders.

Growing Lemon Bun Tea Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Sun or shade, though the flowering is best in a sunny spot. Frost tolerant once established, it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Soil. Adaptable. The species grows along creeks, so it copes with wet soil, yet it is also drought tolerant once settled.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first four to six weeks, or until the plant is established. A native slow release fertiliser in spring suits it.

Pruning. No regular pruning is needed. For a clipped shape, trim lightly after flowering and stay within the leafy growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Lemon Bun Tea Tree as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small, bushy plant that picks up pace in warm soil and builds its dense shape over the first season. Availability of the tube depends on our grower. It shows as sold out whenever there is none, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day plants are back in stock.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• See all of our tea trees
• Leptospermum care guide: choosing and pruning tea trees
• Best hedging plants
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife

Common questions

How far apart should I plant Lemon Bun for a hedge?

Plant 70cm apart in a single row. It matures at about 1m wide, so this spacing closes the gaps in two seasons without crowding.

Are the leaves really lemon scented?

Yes. The small oval leaves release a lemon scent when brushed or crushed, and the scent is strongest on warm days.

Will it grow in shade?

It grows in sun or shade. Flowering and density are best in full sun, so use shade only where you have no better option.