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Shipping nationwide across the continental U.S.! 🌱
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🌿 Grayleaf Teabush (Melochia tomentosa) – Native Florida Pollinator Magnet! 🌸
Bring texture, resilience, and nonstop blooms to your landscape with the Grayleaf Teabush — a rare, native evergreen shrub that’s equal parts beauty and biodiversity. With its velvety silver foliage and delicate pink blossoms, this Florida native is a showstopper that thrives where others fail. Perfect for sunny, drought-prone gardens, it’s a cornerstone plant for pollinators and ecological gardeners alike. 💚
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Melochia tomentosa |
| Common Names | Grayleaf Teabush, Wooly Pyramidflower |
| Plant Type | Native evergreen shrub |
| Size at Sale | Available in 4" or 1-gallon containers |
| Mature Height & Width | 3–6 ft tall x 4–6 ft wide (can be pruned smaller) |
| USDA Zones | 9–10 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun only ☀️ |
| Cold Hardiness | Sensitive below 32°F ❄️ |
| Growth Habit | Open, airy shrub with silvery, fuzzy leaves |
| Soil Preference | Well-draining sandy or limestone soils |
| Moisture Tolerance | Drought-tolerant once established |
| Spacing | 3–5 ft apart |
🌸 Why You’ll Love the Grayleaf Teabush
- 🐝 Pollinator Paradise: Nectar-rich blooms attract native bees, butterflies & hummingbirds.
- 🌵 Low Maintenance: Thrives in poor, dry soils where many ornamentals fail.
- 🌸 Year-Round Color: Soft pink flowers bloom almost continuously in warm regions.
- 🌿 Textural Beauty: Velvety gray leaves shimmer in sunlight, adding contrast to green plantings.
- ♻️ Ecological Impact: A keystone native shrub that supports Florida’s natural biodiversity.
Origin & Folklore
Native to Florida, Texas, the Caribbean, and Mexico, the Grayleaf Teabush (Melochia tomentosa) was cherished by early herbalists who brewed its leaves into a light, earthy “tea” (hence its common name). The Latin tomentosa refers to its dense, wooly leaf hairs — nature’s built-in sunscreen and water-saver, allowing this plant to thrive under the harshest sun. In its native scrub habitats, it provides vital food and shelter for insects and small wildlife throughout the year. 🌾
🌿 Best Practices for Planting and Care
Where to Plant
- Select a sunny, open area with well-draining soil — this shrub loves sandy or rocky limestone conditions.
- Avoid shaded or wet spots — it’s a desert-loving native that dislikes soggy roots.
Planting Tips
- Dig a hole just slightly wider than the container and at the same depth.
- Use our “High & Tight” planting method for proper drainage. Watch our YouTube video tutorial here.
- Backfill with native soil mixed with compost and biochar.
- Water thoroughly after planting and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the stem base.
Watering Schedule
- 💧 Water daily for the first 2–3 weeks after transplanting.
- 💦 Once established, water only during extended droughts — this plant loves dry feet!
Maintenance
- ✂️ Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fuller growth.
- 🪵 Add a thin layer of hardwood mulch annually to conserve moisture.
- ❄️ In rare Florida frosts, protect young plants with frost cloth.
🪴 Container & Landscape Use
- Ideal for xeriscapes, native pollinator gardens, and coastal landscapes (away from salt spray).
- Can be grown in large containers for patios or decks in full sun.
- Pairs beautifully with Firebush, Tropical Sage, and Porterweed for a wildlife-friendly border.
⚠️ Cautions
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ☁️ Lack of blooms | Too much shade | Relocate to full sun |
| 💦 Root rot | Overwatering or poor drainage | Replant “high & tight,” reduce watering |
| ❄️ Frost damage | Temperature below 32°F | Cover with frost cloth or overwinter indoors |
| 🪲 Lace bugs | Common in hot dry spells | Spray with organic neem or insecticidal soap |
🌳 Companion & Support Guilds
Pair with:
- 🌺 Firebush (Hamelia patens) – boosts nectar flow & wildlife interest
- 🩷 Purple Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) – continuous bloom synergy
- 🌾 Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) – adds height & aromatic contrast
- 🌻 Native Milkweed – supports monarchs alongside your teabush
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Organic Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellow leaves | Overwatering or nutrient-poor soil | Reduce watering, add compost |
| 🌬️ Wind scorch | Exposed location | Prune lightly, add windbreak |
| 🪲 Chewed leaves | Caterpillars or beetles | Introduce ladybugs or use neem oil |
| 💧 Wilted plant | Drought stress | Deep water once weekly |
| ☀️ Leaf bleaching | Too much afternoon sun on new transplant | Provide temporary shade until established |
FAQ
Q: Is the Grayleaf Teabush edible?
A: While not commonly consumed, early settlers used the leaves for herbal teas. It’s primarily grown as an ornamental and ecological support plant.
Q: Will it tolerate coastal conditions?
A: It can handle light salt in inland coastal areas, but avoid direct salt spray.
Q: Does it bloom year-round?
A: Yes! In frost-free areas, you’ll enjoy continuous flowers nearly all year. In cooler zones, it rebounds quickly in spring.
Q: Can I grow it indoors?
A: It needs full sun and airflow — outdoor planting or bright patios are best.
Shipping & Handling Notes
- 🌱 Ships in 4” or 1-gallon container.
- 🚚 Best suited for shipping to Florida, the Southeastern US, and Texas.
- ⚠️ Plants shipped to Northern and Western states may require extra recovery time.
- ❄️🌞 Buyer discretion advised during extreme temperatures — we are not responsible for heat or cold damage during transit.
- 📦 We ship Mondays via UPS Ground to ensure the safest delivery window.
Local Pickup
📍 GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Stop by to see this Florida native in full bloom — it’s a staff favorite!
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we don’t just grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌱 Installation & project management
- 🚛 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch & biochar
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative land services
Let our team help you build a thriving, resilient landscape — starting with your Grayleaf Teabush! 🌸
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
