Climbing Coochin Hills (one of the Glasshouse Mountains in south-eastern Queensland) for the first time many years ago I was surprised and delighted to find a beautiful smooth-barked small tree, which I recognised as a Leptospermum. I later learned that it was Leptospermum luehmannii, a plant restricted to the Glasshouse Mountains.

Its mountain habitat means that relatively few people have the opportunity of seeing it in the wild, which is a pity, as it is such a remarkable tree. No botanical description could possibly convey the great beauty of this species, which has several common names, of which the most suitable is probably Bronze-barked Tea Tree. L. luehmannii is a small tree or mallee from about two to five metres high and grows on rocky slopes and ridges where soil is virtually non-existent and drought is a constant enemy. The trunk and branches are wonderfully twisted and contorted, mute testimony to the great struggle against the elements, and an artists dream. The bark is smooth and shiny, right down to ground level and is generally a beautiful reddish-brown colour. In August the bark peels back in long narrow strips, revealing the new smooth green bark underneath. The combination of red and green bark, with white hanging ribbons is outstanding.

Bronze-barked Tea Tree Leptospermum luehmannii. Family Myrtaceae.

Each tree is quite densely foliaged, even on the most difficult sites. The leaves belie the harsh habitat, as they are rich glossy green on both sides, elliptical in shape and measure about 25mm x 5mm. Its white flowers are prolifically produced in January and February, when most plants are content to shut down and concentrate in surviving the long hot summer.

This is a very desirable garden plant and has proved to be very amenable to cultivation. It is, as you would expect, very drought tolerant. Furthermore, it is not subject to any significant attack by insects or diseases and it will grow vigorously in a wide variety of soils. In cultivation it rarely achieves the twisted, gnarled stems which are a feature of naturally occurring trees, but, regardless of this, it is surely an outstanding member of the genus and worthy of a place in every garden.