What Is the Common Name for Leptospermum Scoparium Snow White?

Family and Species Names

• New Zealand tea tree is a shrub native to Australia. It belongs to the genus Leptospermum and the Myrtaceae plant family, commonly called the Eucalyptus family. New Zealand tea tree is one of about 5,500 species in the family. You can find the "Snow White" cultivar under the common name New Zealand white tea tree or white New Zealand tea tree. The New Zealand tea tree species is also known by the alternate common name manuka.

Plant Characteristics

• The "Snow White" cultivar grows 2 to 4 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 5 feet wide. Small, white flowers with green centers bloom along the length of the branches in the spring and fall. New Zealand tea tree and all the named cultivars, including "Snow White" are broad-leaf evergreen shrubs. The fragrant leaves can be steeped in boiling water to make a pungent tea. The "Snow White" cultivar is a compact shrub compared to some New Zealand tea tree cultivars that grow up to 15 feet tall.

Cultural Requirements

• "Snow White" is a drought-tolerant plant that grows well in dry soil and arid conditions. Avoid areas with wet, waterlogged soil and poor drainage. When planting, select a spot that gets full sun, at least six hours a day, and is protected from strong summer and winter winds. This shrub grows in a natural, branching habit without pruning. You can prune to thin the interior and remove dead and broken branches, but avoid shearing or heavy pruning to preserve the elegant, informal shape.

Landscape Use

• The compact growth habit of "Snow White" makes this cultivar ideal for patio planters and large indoor or outdoor containers. In the landscape, it is well suited for informal gardens and hedges. Because this shrub has the best shape when allowed to grow naturally, it is not well suited for formal hedges and gardens. The drought-tolerant nature of "Snow White" makes it well suited for water-wise gardens.