Leptospermum grandiflorum 'Eugene Hardy'

Collected and shared with us by plantsman Ian Barclay, this clone of a tough plant from Eugene, Oregon, has small, dark green leaves on dark stems, similar, we think, to L. sericeum but with the added provenance of having been through some of the coldest winters in Eugene's Willamette Valley frost pocket. By its early growth rate, we would guess to an eventual height of 6-8 ft, or smaller with pruning or hedging. White spring flowers are often repeated into fall. Sun to part shade in well-drained soil with at least occasional summer water. Frost hardy to 0F, USDA zone 7.

Tree to 20' or more, grey leaves, white flowers, outstanding texture, sun or part shade. New Zealand. This exciting tea tree from the mountains of southeast Australia grows into like a robust small tree with very large leaves (compared to the other species) and similarly magnificent oversized flowers. This is a seriously super-hardy Leptospermum, since they all survived being frozen solid for days and down to 13 °F in their pots during the big December 2008 freeze (they lost some leaves but didn't die back!). I'd guess this ought to handle at least 5 °F in the ground and perhaps lower. The name 'Eugene Hardy' probably refers to it being hardy in Eugene, Oregon; although it could just be named after a guy named Eugene Hardy. Thanks to Jim Gerdemann for sharing this plant from his amazing collection.