Tantoon, Jelly Bush Leptospermum polygalifolium

This is a beautiful native plant and a special Honey Bush that produces the foundation pollen of our own Australian Active Honey. Named because of the thick jelly like honey that bees produce from the flowers. The honey is very similar in terms of its chemical structure and medicinal properties to manuka.

Conditions

Botanical Name: Leptospermum polygalifolium

Common Name: Tantoon, Jelly Bush

Family: Myrtaceae

Plant Type: Medium Shrub

Height:  2  m

Width:  1.5  m

Growth Habit: Evergreenm, Open, Upright

Leaf Description: Mid Light Green

Flower Colour: White

Flowering Time: Late Winter/ Spring

Light Needs: Full Sun / Part Shade

Soil Moisture: Dry to moist. Free drainage

Soil Type: Most free draining soils

Tolerances: Light Frost, Drought, Water logging, Poor soils

Uses: Medicinal Honey, Native Shrubberies, Bush Food Gardens

Maintenance: Prune on occasions to maintain density

Pests and Diseases: Manuka scale, Sooty mold, webworm

To Note: Was scorned by honey producers in the past because the ‘jelly like’ honey would clog the extractors. Now it is the most sought after and highest income honey producer plant