Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’, commonly known as Starry Night Tea Tree, is a compact, fast-growing Australian native shrub, valued for its deep purple foliage, dense growth habit, and seasonal flowering display. As part of the Myrtaceae family, this evergreen shrub offers year-round interest, making it a highly versatile choice for modern landscapes, low-maintenance gardens, and drought-tolerant plantings.

Its rich, dark purple foliage creates a bold contrast against green backdrops, making it a standout choice for mixed borders, garden beds, and contemporary designs. In spring and early summer, it produces masses of five-petaled white flowers with prominent stamens, attracting pollinators, beneficial insects, and native birds.

The bushy, compact growth habit of the Starry Night Tea Tree makes it perfect for hedging, screening, feature planting, and container gardening. With strong adaptability to different soil types, drought resistance, and tolerance for coastal conditions, it is an ideal low-maintenance choice for Australian gardens and urban landscapes.

Common Name: Starry Night Tea Tree
Mature Height (meters): Typically grows to a height of 1-2 meters
Mature Width (meters): Spreads to approximately 1-2 meters
Spacing: Plant at least 1-2 meters apart to accommodate its compact growth habit.
Foliage: The Starry Night Tea Tree is characterized by its small, oval-shaped leaves that are a deep and striking shade of purple. The foliage provides a dramatic contrast to the white flowers.
Flowering Period: The shrub produces delicate, five-petaled white flowers with prominent stamens, which appear in profusion during spring and early summer. These flowers add elegance and charm to the garden.
Form/Habit: Leptospermum obovatum 'Starry Night' has a naturally bushy and compact growth habit, making it an excellent choice for small gardens, borders, and containers.
Uses: Ideal as a specimen plant, in mixed shrub borders, or in pots for a stunning patio display. Its unique foliage and delicate flowers make it a standout addition to gardens and outdoor spaces.
Sun: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Maintenance: Low maintenance; minimal pruning is required to maintain its natural form and remove dead or wayward branches.
Water Requirement: Drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering is recommended during dry spells and in the shrub's early years.