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Leptospermum lanigerum Karo Silver Ice

Leptospermum x lanigerum Karo Silver Ice
Manuka, New Zealand Tea Tree, Tea Tree

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A recent hybrid variety that stands out for its bushy, spreading and dense habit, its small pure white single flowers and its silvery foliage. Somewhat tender but easy to grow in soil that is not too alkaline, or in a pot. Accommodating, it is indifferent to sea spray and resistant to drought. Growing in open ground will be reserved for mild climates.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

Leptospermum 'Karo Silver Ice' is a hybrid variety of tea tree, quite recent, forming a large bush that appears to be covered in silvery snow. It owes this to its abundant and long-lasting white flowering period, composed of a multitude of small immaculate white cup-shaped flowers, and its grey-green foliage abundantly covered with silvery bristles. The ensemble is remarkably bright. This evergreen bush is cultivated in open ground in a mild climate, in well-drained soil, not too chalky to acidic, including by the sea. It accepts pot cultivation very well, to be stored over winter in colder regions.

Leptospermum 'Karo Silver Ice' is a horticultural creation dating from the mid-1980s. It is the result of cross-breeding the L. rotundifolium ‘Jervis Bay’ and L. lanigerum var. lanigerum. Leptospermum are cousins of Mediterranean myrtles, clove trees and Eucalyptus. All from the Myrtaceae family, they share a love of heat and a tolerance to dry and poor soils. With a bushy, dense and spreading habit, it will reach an average of 1.5 m (5 ft) in all directions, but sometimes up to 2 m (6.5 ft) if the growing conditions are optimal. It is provided with alternate, single, rounded leaves, small in size, white at bud burst, later taking on a green hue somewhat masked by numerous silvery bristles. The ensemble of the foliage displays a silver-green colour. The flowers, single, honey producing and rich in nectar, appear for 5 to 6 weeks from April to June in warmer climates, later in colder regions. They are composed of 5 white petals surrounding a green heart and can reach 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) in diameter. They are followed by small capsules releasing thin elongated seeds. This bush can be lightly pruned after flowering, from May to July.

The 'Karo Silver Ice' tea tree withstands temperatures down to -10°C (14 °F) but the aerial parts can be damaged from -6°C (21.2 °F). It should be placed in a sheltered spot, in full but not scorching sun. It tolerates sea spray well, making it a very beautiful bush for seaside gardens. While it prefers neutral to acidic soils, it also tolerates clay-limestone soils according to some experts, provided they are light, loamy and correctly drained. 

In a flowerbed or border it can be combined with other Australian or New Zealand shrubs such as Callistemon, Grevillea, Melaleuca, but also with South African species: Gomphostigma 'White Candy', Dierama, Aloe arborescens, Anisodontea capensis or Melianthus major should thrive in the same growing conditions. It can also be used in the creation of a medium-sized evergreen hedge (max. 2 m (6.5 ft) tall) in the company of Myrtles, large cistus (Cistus laurifolius, Citus (x) aguilari), Feijoa, or Olearia. In regions with very cold winters this plant should be cultivated in a pot and kept frost-free throughout the winter.

Leptospermum means "thin seed" and gets its common English name of tea tree from Captain Cook and his crew, who used its leaves to prevent scurvy.

Leptospermum lanigerum Karo Silver Ice in pictures

Leptospermum  lanigerum Karo Silver Ice (Flowering) Flowering
Leptospermum  lanigerum Karo Silver Ice (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 3 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Flowering description Highly melliferous.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour grey or silver

Botanical data

Genus

Leptospermum

Species

x lanigerum

Cultivar

Karo Silver Ice

Family

Myrtaceae

Other common names

Manuka, New Zealand Tea Tree, Tea Tree

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference833591

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Planting and care

Leptospermum 'Karo Silver Ice', hardy down to -8/-10°C, will require protection against cold North and East winds during very cold winters. It prefers draining to dry, light, loamy or sandy soils, with a neutral or acidic tendency. Choose a partially shaded location in a hot climate, or a sunny one in a cooler climate. Prune lightly after flowering (not exceeding 1/3 of the length of the branches) to maintain a compact habit. It will appreciate an input of extra nutrients in spring (compost or manure), even if not essential as Manuka is adapted to rather poor soils. Let the surface of the root ball dry between waterings and reduce watering in autumn as soon as the temperatures drop. Preferably use non or only slightly calcereous water.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Container, Hedge, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-draining, loamy, stony or sandy.

Care

Pruning instructions Prune sparingly after flowering. Do not remove more than 1/3 from the length of each flower-bearing branch.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August to September
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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