Kunzea ambigua ‘Will’s Selection’ – Tick Bush
An upright form of Kunzea ambigua, it has abundant pink buds that open to white flowers. Grows from 2 to 4 metres high, 2 to 3 metres wide. Attracts birds and insects, including colourful bettles. Well drained, sunny sites. A great bushfood plant thanks to the aromatic leaves which are useful for flavouring food and tea, for essential oil production. Likes sandy soils but is adaptable to most.
The common name of tick bush comes from people noticing that animals like to lay amongst them, they theorised that the aromatic oil content of the foliage may deter ticks and mites.
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Kunzea ambigua |
| Cultivar: | Will's Selection |
| Common Name: | Tick Bush |
| Other Common Names: | White Kunzea |
| Plant Type: | Large shrub |
| Height: | 2 ~ 4 metres |
| Width: | 2 ~ 3 metres |
| Flower Colour: | White |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Summer |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Sub-tropical, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool |
| Light: | Sunny, Light shade |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Dense foliage |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Screen, Windbreak, Fragrant |
| Special Features: | Tea, Fragrant oils, Erosion control |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Bees, Nectar eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects |
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WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.