A showy Tea – tree from Western Australia, Taxandria parviceps is covered with masses of white flowers from mid winter through spring into summer.
This is a species that is commonly found around the Margaret River area in south east WA.
It is a plant that grows well in sandy soils and with good dense foliage is suited for planting as an informal hedge or as a background plant in the garden border
It is especially suited to coastal gardens and the dense foliage provides habitat and protection for small birds.
Care
In a sunny position and a well drained soil Taxandria parviceps is easy care.
- Plant in an open position in a well drained soil.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool weed free root run.
- Provide a little water through the first summer or until established.
- Use a light application of a native plant fertiliser in spring if needed.
Pruning Taxandria parviceps
Although pruning is generally not required, many gardeners do use the flowers for cut flowers. Make sure that you do not cut back into older wood without good foliage growth.
Landscaping Uses
Taxandria parviceps in an excellent tree in coastal gardens as a feature tree or as a screen. Additionally it works well in low maintenance shrub or in xeriscape gardens as it requires little pruning or irrigation.
Becuase of the dense foliage it is suited for use as bird habitat providing protection for small birds as well as nesting. In flower it attracts bees, nectar seeking birds and other beneficial insects to the garden.
Also suited for growing in erosion prone areas or as a fast small growing tree/hedge.
Other uses
Taxandria parviceps is grown commercially for cut flowers, it is also used in bonsai.
Planting
Usually sold in forestry tubes which suits mass planting applications.
Propagation
Usually from seed.
Other Trees Commonly called Tea Tree Include
Summary Information
- Botanical Name: Taxandria parviceps (syn. Agonis parviceps)
- Common Name : Fine Leaf Tea Tree
- Family : Myrtaceae
- Cultivar Name: N/A
- Origins : South East Coastal areas of Western Australia
- Climate Zone : Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean
- Growth habit : Upright small to large shrub. Dense foliage and evergreen
- Height : To around 4m
- Width : To Around 3m
- Growth rate : Medium to Fast
- Position : Full sun to a little shade
- Soil : Well drained Sandy soils, Sandy Loam to other well drained soils. Medium pH
- Flowers : White to Creamy White
- Flowering time : Spring through Summer to Winter.
- Foliage : Fine leafed and aromatic.
- Frost tolerance : Light frosts only
- Drought Resistance : This is regarded as good once established.