Manuka

Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) is a compact, evergreen tea tree that grows to about 2m tall and wide, with slender leaves and dainty white open flowers. Prized by beekeepers, it is also a tough, frost hardy shrub for hedges and wildlife gardens that grows in sun or shade.

Why you'll love it

• A beekeeper's favourite. Bees work the flowers hard, so it adds nectar for backyard hives and wild bees.
• Frost hardy. Once it is established it tolerates frost, which suits cooler gardens.
• A pioneer plant. It colonises disturbed ground quickly, which is why it is used in land regeneration and revegetation.
• Fine, slender foliage. Narrow leaves give a soft, light texture all year.
• Flexible. It grows in sun or shade, so one plant suits many positions.

Where it works best

Hedges and screens. Plant 1m apart in a single row. At that spacing the shrubs close into a dense hedge about 2m high, which you can clip to keep it narrower.

Wildlife and bee gardens. Plant a few among natives and flowering shrubs to give pollinators a long run of nectar.

Revegetation and larger plantings. Space plants 1.5m apart for a quick, hardy cover on difficult ground.

Growing Manuka in Australia

Position and climate. Sun or shade, with the densest growth and best flowering in sun. It tolerates frost once established and suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens.

Soil. Adaptable and tolerant of poor soils, which is why it works as a pioneer plant. Reasonable drainage keeps it healthy.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first four to six weeks, or until the plant is established. After that it needs little extra, with a slow release native fertiliser each spring.

Pruning. Trim lightly after flowering to keep a hedge dense, and avoid cutting into bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Manuka as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes suit larger plantings and hedges, while the potted packs give faster presence. Tube stock is grown for us and is not always available. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.

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

• Browse all tea trees
• Leptospermum care guide for Australian gardens
• Hedging and screening plants
• Plants for native bees in Australian gardens

Common questions

Will I get manuka honey from it?

Bees work the flowers hard, and a hedge adds nectar for backyard hives. A commercial crop of manuka honey needs large plantings, so treat it as a bonus for local bees.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 1m apart in a single row. The shrubs reach about 2m wide, so they knit together within a couple of seasons.

Is manuka frost hardy?

Yes, it tolerates frost once established. In very cold, exposed gardens a sheltered position helps young plants.