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Meet the Natives: Teabush
This week, we’re highlighting the beautiful teabush (Melochia tomentosa). In the U.S., these stunning, medium-to-large-sized shrubs are native to south Florida and south Texas.
Teabush prefers full sun to light shade, and well-draining soils. Once established, these shrubs are moderately quick growing, and drought tolerant.
“Unfortunately, they are not tolerant of saltwater inundation, so these shrubs are best planted in more inland gardens,” said SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant Sophie Carpenter.
Teabush are easy to maintain, growing up to 8 to 10 feet tall, and can be easily pruned to a more manageable size if desired.
They are evergreen, and have stunning small, silvery green leaves. Teabush also blooms year round, producing small but showy purple to pink flowers.
“Incorporate teabush into your garden as an attractive, easy-to-manage shrub that also provides an excellent source of nectar for our pollinators,” Carpenter said. “Teabush are pollinator magnets, at any given time these shrubs will be buzzing with a variety of bees and butterflies.”
Butterflies such as hairstreaks, crescents, blues, and skippers are known to frequent its nectar rich blooms. Hummingbirds, although not common on Sanibel, have also been known to visit teabush.