Kunzea muelleri
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
Kunzea muelleri is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Heaths, especially in wet areas near bogs, at elevations up to the alpine zone.
Australia - New South Wales and Victoria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
A tea substitute.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Tonic.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a sunny, well-drained position. 200 This species is hardy to about -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be transferred direct to British gardens due to our cooler summers that often fail to fully ripen the wood, plus our longer, wetter, colder winters. Plants require cool greenhouse treatment in Britain. They succeed outdoors on the Isles of Scilly.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist