Leptospermum scoparium - Wild Alpine Manuka ORGANIC 3yo

Wild Alpine Manuka: M, N, P, **, May-July

EVERGREEN SHRUB growing to 3m (10ft) by 3m (10ft). Does not like very dry soil, likes full sun and tolerates severe coastal conditions. Hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from May to July. Our most exciting bee plant and like all our plants it's raised Organically from seed. Wild seed from alpine slopes in New Zealand are the provenance of these plants, which provide the most effective oil found amongst New Zealand’s Manuka plants, producing the most potent Manuka honey, measured in mg/Kg of ‘methylgloxal’ (MGO). Bees choose Manuka plants over all others in the New Zealand wildernesses.  If clipped and trained when young, can form excellent, dense and long-lived hedges. This essential oil is known to be antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and many times more potent in these antimicrobial properties than any other known plants – and without a doubt conferring these benefits to the bees. A 100% star bee plant! Not only this, but it also flowers during the June-gap dearth. What more could you wish for from a bee plant? Suitable to plant as windbreak hedging in mild and mild coastal areas; we recommend 2.5 m spacing between trees planted in a double, staggered row. Young plants benefit from winter protection. Mature plants will be hardy. For maximum flowering plant in a sheltered, west or south-facing position, with roots shaded by another lower-growing shrub. Must remain moist during establishment. Mulch after planting, and protect with bubble-wrap or fleece around base of plant during its first few winters. The 3 year old plants will flower this year, and are ready to plant out from March 2013. Produces POLLEN & NECTAR. PLANTS: 2 Litre £10.00.

photo: www.NZPlantPics.com