The New Zealand Tea Tree, also known as Manuka, is a flowering shrub or small tree native to New Zealand and southeast Australia. It's renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly the antibacterial Manuka honey produced from its nectar. In bonsai, it's valued for its small leaves, abundant flowers, and adaptability to various styles.
Bonsai Suitability
Suitability Rating: 4.5/5 (Excellent)
New Zealand Tea Trees are highly regarded in bonsai for their: - Small, scale-like leaves - Profuse flowering - Compact growth habit - Responsiveness to pruning and shaping - Attractive bark that develops character with age - Ability to produce miniature flowers and seed capsules
Growth Characteristics
- Height: Up to 5 m (16 ft) in the wild; easily kept under 1 m (3 ft) in bonsai
- Spread: Up to 4 m (13 ft) in the wild; contained in bonsai cultivation
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
- Foliage Type: Small, needle-like leaves
- Foliage Color: Usually dark green, with some cultivars showing red or bronze tones
- Flowers: Small (8-15 mm), typically white or pink, with some red varieties
Bonsai Care Requirements
- Light: Full sun to partial shade; prefers full sun for compact growth and prolific flowering
- Water: Moderate; keep consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix
- Fertilizer: Balanced feed during growing season; reduce during flowering
- Pruning: Regular pinching and pruning to maintain shape; can handle hard pruning if necessary
Styling Recommendations
- Suitable for a wide range of styles, including informal upright, slanting, multi-trunk, group planting, and even cascade
- Excellent for creating ramification due to its fine branching habit
- Can be grown on rock (ishizuki) or in root-over-rock (sekijoju) styles
- Deadwood techniques (jin and shari) can be applied but are not as common as with junipers
Propagation Methods
- Cuttings (most common method)
- Seeds (germinate readily but may not produce true to parent for cultivars)
- Air layering (useful for larger specimens)
Common Issues
- Scale insects
- Spider mites in dry conditions
- Root rot in poorly draining soil
- Dieback if pruned too severely in cold weather
Seasonal Changes
- Spring: New growth appears; flowering begins
- Summer: Active growth period; main flowering season
- Autumn: Growth slows; some cultivars may show colour changes in foliage
- Winter: Growth minimal; protect from severe frost in colder regions
This comprehensive overview should provide a solid foundation for understanding and working with Leptospermum scoparium in bonsai. Its versatility, attractive features, and relatively easy care make it a popular choice among bonsai enthusiasts of various skill levels.