Leptospermum polygalifolium
Tantoon
Overview
Leptospermum polygalifolium is an evergreen shrub to small tree growing 1-5 m (3-16 ft) tall and 1.5-3 m (5-10 ft) wide, native to eastern Australia. It has an erect to slightly arching habit with slender, often weeping branchlets clothed in small narrow-elliptic leaves 5-15 mm (0.2-0.6 in) long that release a sharp aroma when crushed. In spring and summer the stems are lined with many white five-petalled flowers about 1 cm (0.4 in) across, each with a ring of short stamens around a green central disc; flowers occasionally show a pink flush. Small woody capsules follow and may persist on the branches for a year or more. The species grows on sandy, loamy, and clay soils in heath, forest, and along watercourses, tolerating both seasonal wetness and short dry spells once established. It withstands frost, wind, and coastal exposure, which suits it to a wide range of sites. Older plants can become open at the base if never trimmed, and the persistent capsules give the bush a slightly twiggy look in winter. The nectar is worked by bees and used for high-activity honey.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, occurring along the coast and ranges from Queensland through New South Wales into eastern Victoria, where it grows in heath, open forest, and along creeks and swamp margins on sandy to clay soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a screening or hedging shrub, in mixed native borders, windbreaks, and revegetation of coastal and creekside sites. The flowers draw bees and other pollinators. Spaced 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft) apart for a screen or informal hedge.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3'4" - 16'5"
Width/Spread4'11" - 9'10"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
White flowers open through spring and early summer, roughly October to January, lining the branches in a dense show that lasts several weeks. A pink-flushed form occurs in some plants. Woody capsules develop afterward and hold their seed on the bush for a year or more.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-9 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
Grow in full sun to light shade on sandy, loamy, or clay soils that drain reasonably, tolerating ground that is briefly wet in winter. Water through the first season, then rely largely on rainfall, as established plants handle short dry spells. Use low-phosphorus native fertiliser if growth is weak. A trim after flowering keeps the bush dense and slows the open, woody base that develops with age. The species withstands frost, salt wind, and coastal conditions. Watch for webbing caterpillars and scale, which can disfigure foliage in some seasons.Pruning
Trim lightly after flowering each year to maintain a compact, leafy habit and to remove the oldest spent flowering wood. The species reshoots from semi-hard wood, so moderate cutting back is tolerated. Cutting deep into bare old wood reshoots slowly and is approached cautiously.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