Agonis flexuosa
Peppermint Tree
Description
Peppermint Tree (Agonis flexuosa) is an excellent specimen tree for small- and medium-sized gardens. This Australian native tree reaches 35' tall and 15’-30’ wide, is very low-water-use, and is low maintenance. These trees can be found in nurseries in both single-trunk and multi-trunk forms. The natural growth habit is weeping and irregular, so it does require some selective pruning and shaping when it is young to achieve the desired look. Thinning out the heavy, weeping branches will take some of the weight out of them, and they usually lift. The tree may require this type of pruning a few times a year for the first two or three years. Once it has reached a height requiring a ladder to prune, it should be shaped by a licensed arborist. Since this tree has very low water use, it is susceptible to root rot during the hotter months if it is overwatered. It does very well in California-friendly gardens that typically prefer most of their irrigation in the fall, winter, and spring, with very little supplemental water in the summer. This tree should be planted at least five feet away from any hardscape areas, 10 feet from structures such as houses and buildings, and not near any powerlines. Shrubs and perennials should be planted about three feet away from this tree. It should be irrigated for about 45 minutes once a week when using most in-line drip irrigation systems.
Plant Type
Tree
Height Range
25-40'
Flower Color
White
Flower Season
Spring, Summer
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
Brown, Red
Fruit Color
Brown
Fruit Season
Fall
Leaf Season
Evergreen
Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Fast
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Ranch, Seascape, Spanish
Accenting Features
Espalier, Fragrance, Multi-trunk Tree, Showy Flowers
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Location Uses
Background, Park, Street Tree
Special Uses
Hedge, Screen, Shade Tree
Attracts Wildlife
Birds
Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.