Leptospermum scoparium Mānuka / Kāhikātoa / New Zealand Tea Tree is arguably the most iconic native plant in Aotearoa, and one that needs little introduction. A prolific evergreen shrub or small tree, Mānuka is often one of the first species to regenerate on cleared or disturbed land, with dense branching, small aromatic sharply-tipped leaves, and masses of delicate white to pale pink flowers. From spring, the bushes are smothered with a profusion of flowers beloved by bees and Mānuka is fast-growing and very hardy, tolerating hot dry soils and cold temperatures alike. Its dense growth offers shelter and nesting sites for native birds and insects, while its deep root system stabilises soil and prevents erosion on vulnerable slopes. As a pioneer species, it creates the conditions that allow slower-growing natives to follow.
