Tea Plant
A novel and unique evergreen shrub that unlocks the door to home-made and delicious tea. Could there be anything more quintessentially British than producing tea leaves ready for the pot from your own garden?This Tea Plant, also known as Camellia sinensis, is not just a striking shrub to look at, but also offers a use inside the kitchen, so pick leaves, add them to the teapot, then share a delicious hot beverage with friends and family - this is sure to be a talking point!Fresh dark-green, lance-like leaves are produced each spring, which is the time when they are best for picking and placing into the pot. Or, dry the leaves before brewing for a more traditional taste. Typically, the uppermost leaf buds are picked to make tea, however you could try mixing it up and using older leaves to see how the flavour varies.What's more, this shrub is so easy to grow and look after, offering a low-maintenance solution for more-or-less any garden, with a flurry of fragrant white flowers in autumn and winter.You will even be able to pick a few leaves in the first year after planting, but it is recommended to limit the number of leaves plucked for the first three years to help the plant to establish, resulting in a bigger shrub in years to come with more leaves - and even more tea!The Tea Plant makes a perfect patio plant in a container, but will also thrive in a flower border alongside your favourite perennials, as the dark shade of the leaves acts as an idyllic backdrop for vibrant blooms.Supplied as an established plant in a 1.5L pot, ready for planting.
