Leptospermum petersonii or the Lemon Scented Tea Tree is a vigorous, fast growing, tall shrub with handsome foliage that is intensely aromatic (lemon).

The soft, pendulous branches bear long, slender leaves that start coppery, then turn green.

The small, white flowers are pretty but not very conspicuous and followed by woody capsules.

Although they prefer full sun they will grow in part shade but will tend to have a more open habit. They will tolerate mild drought and marginal frosts.

They are commonly seen in Australian gardens, either as an ornamental feature or as a screen or hedge. Their very fast growth making them ideal for quick screening in new housing areas.

They also attract birds to your garden.

Soil: Any light soil, providing it's well drained in a sunny location.

This is a plant for difficult soils - if nothing else will grow there, then Leptospermum petersonii probably will.

Maintenance: Avoid root disturbance.

Otherwise low maintenance ,apart from a trim now and again to keep it tidy and a light sprinkling of blood and bone (or a balance fertiliser for natives) once a year, in spring.

Other Species: 80 others - mainly Australian, some NZ, and a couple from Malaysia. Note in particular L. scoparium which has deep pink flowers and bronze foliage.

Lemon Scented Tea Tree is a tall evergreen shrub to small tree, growing to a maximum of 5 metres that is fast growing and drought hardy.

It naturally occurs near sclerophyll forest or rainforest, on sandy or rocky escarpments, on the east coast of Australia. It has simple leaves, 20–40 mm long, with a distinctive lemony aroma. The flowers are white, followed by woody capsules.

Lemon Scented Tea Tree Oil has medicinal properties similar to Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic. Its high citral content gives it a nice lemon scent. It also contains Citronellal, Citronellol and Geraniol making it an effective insect repellant.

Its potency and pleasant scent makes this native plant a great essential oil in aromatherapy. But because of its high potency, only tiny amounts are necessary.

The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs and is a clear colorless to yellow liquid