Gaudium trinervium
paperbark tea tree
Eastern Australia (Queensland, NSW, Victoria)
Overview
Gaudium trinervium, formerly known as Leptospermum trinervium, is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 3-13 feet (1-4 m) tall and 3-8 feet (1-2.5 m) wide, with an upright to spreading form and papery flaking bark that peels in thin layers. The leaves are small, narrow, and elliptic to wedge-shaped, 0.2-0.8 inch (5-20 mm) long, grey-green, with three faint veins and a pointed or rounded tip. White flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) across, with five rounded petals and a central red-brown disc, open along the branches in spring. Small woody seed capsules 0.2 inch (5 mm) wide follow the flowers and persist on the stems. Growth is moderate, and plants form an open framework with age. The flaking bark and small leaves give a light, airy texture. The species tolerates poor and sandy soils but needs good drainage and is short-lived on heavy ground.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria. Grows in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland on sandy and gravelly soils, on ridges, slopes, and coastal sand.Suggested Uses
Planted as an informal screen, windbreak, or filler in native and coastal gardens, spaced 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) apart. Used in revegetation on sandy soils and to draw nectar-feeding insects and birds. The open habit and short life on heavy soils limit its use as a permanent hedge.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 13'
Width/Spread3' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in spring, with the peak over several weeks. Scattered flowers can appear into early summer. Flowering is heavier in open, sunny positions than in shade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with red-brown discFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to light shade in well-drained sandy or gravelly soil; growth is open and weak in shade. Water through the first season to establish, after which plants tolerate dry conditions. Plants are frost hardy in their native range and tolerate coastal exposure. Apply only low-phosphorus fertilizer, as the species is sensitive to phosphorus. Scale insects and webbing caterpillars can affect stressed plants. The species is short-lived on heavy, poorly drained soils.Pruning
Tip-prune after flowering to keep the form dense, as untrimmed plants become open and twiggy. Light regular trimming suits hedging. Hard cutting into old wood is slow to reshoot.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons