Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ Australian Gardening Guide

What is Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ ?

Leptospermum are a genus of shrubs and small trees commonly known as tea trees. This unusual common name came from the practice of early Australian settlers soaking the Leptospermum leaves in boiling water to make a tea substitute. 

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Pink Cascade’ is an Australian cultivar that grows well in most regions of Australia. It is believed to be a hybrid between Leptospermum polygalifolium and Leptospermum continentale. 

This compact, spreading perennial shrub grows to between 50-80 cm tall and 1.5 m wide. It has a dense foliage of narrow, straight, dark green leaves on weeping branches.  

Established plants are heat and drought tolerant plants. They resist salt spray and do well in coastal climates. They can also withstand light frost. A tough shrub!

When Does Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ Flower?

This tea tree generally produces masses of flowers in spring and autumn. When flowering, the twiggy canopy of small narrow leaves becomes covered in a pretty mass of showy pink flowers.

The five petalled flowers are small and about 1.5cm in diameter. Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’  flowers attract native birds, bees and other beneficial wildlife.

Growing Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ 

Ideal Soil and Where to Position Your Pink Cascade

Pink Cascade tea trees prefer a light, moist well-drained soil. It will adapt to and tolerate a wide variety of soils, if well-drained. 

The best spot for growing these natives in your garden is a sunny, well-drained position. They will also tolerate a semi shaded position in your garden, but this will impact the degree to which the plant flowers.  

This shrub is often used as a hedge, screen or windbreak but works equally well as a feature plant in a bush or coastal garden given its pretty flowers. They are sometimes also planted successfully in rockeries. It works well and looks great in both scattered or mass plantings. 

Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ can also be grown in container pots. Try planting it with other Australian native shrubs like Grevillea sericea (Silky grevillea).

Leptospermum ‘Pink Cascade’ is a hardy and low maintenance plant. It doesn’t require extra feed to thrive, but you can add a light sprinkling of blood and bone or a balanced native fertiliser once a year in spring to help flowering. They are also generally free from problems with pests and diseases.

Water regularly for about three months until the plant is established. Pink tea trees are drought-tolerant plants, so after that you can dial back the watering. Once established they rarely require watering except during extended dry periods. Mulch around the root zone which will help retain water.  

You should trim these native plants occasionally to ensure they keep their shape, encourage flowering and to keep them tidy. The best time to trim Pink Cascade tea is after it has finished flowering in spring, which will promote a dense habit. Make sure not to cut into the old wood.