A few contributions from North East Vic.
I only have one Lepto actually in a bonsai pot. i am still not sure of the species. Seed was collected along the Great Ocean rd near Port Campbell because the plants had compact growth. They have turned out to flower profusely with white flowers in spring at the right time for local flower shows. Cuts from plants in the garden inevitably win a prize so it has become known locally as 'Neil's winner'
It can bud on older wood but usually only if the entire plant is cut back at once.
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Someone else mentioned L. grandifolium. This species grows along creeks in my area so I have grown a few. My plants bud reliably on bare wood if the whole plant is pruned hard. Responds well to trimming and tolerates root pruning.
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Like many wide spread species L. grandifolium has slight differences in different areas. This clone from Mt Buller area is sold in nurseries because it has
blue green leaves and more compact growth habit. This one has not grown as fast as my local form.
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note those lower branches have died from lack of light, a common thing in many natives and especially leptos.
It has already been noted that some leptospermums are reluctant to bud on bare wood but a few do it really well.
This was grown from seed collected at Smoky Cape on NSW coast. Trees were growing in cracks in a huge slab of rock so they were small and twisted. Initially the seedlings were a little frost tender and I thought they had died during the first winter but spring saw new shoots all over the trunks. either they have adjusted to cold or we have not had weather quite so cold because they now seem to survive winter with just a little browning of leaves.
It has been identified by Roger Hnatiuk as L. petersonii even though it does not have the characteristic lemon scent in the leaves.
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These bud reliably after pruning. Sometimes produces lots of unwanted suckers from the base of the trunk. May be more tolerant of low light than some others.
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Really good trunk shapes and bark. Responds well to trimming and root pruning.
I recommend this species, especially for those where winters are milder.
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