Tea in a UK garden (P.S - Does tea come under herb?)

[Veles_Machina84]

Greetings everyone,

I am new to this forum and I have a few queries. I have a South-West facing garden and I'm curious if I can grow tea in it. Does anyone know if tea can be grown in a UK garden? If so, what variety?

Kind regards,

Mike

[scarey55]

Hello Mike, and welcome to the Vine.

The plant you are looking for is Camellia Sinensis. I have never tried to grow it but I think it would be very difficult. There is also a link <<HERE>> that shows what sort of conditions the plant needs.

Let us know how you get on, happy growing.

[SarzWix]

Tea is a type of Camellia, 'sinensis' I think, so if your garden is good for Camellias, you might have a good chance. They like warmth and humidity and a light, acid soil. There's a couple of links below that might help?

Grown Your Own Tea & Coffee Gift Box Graduation

UK Tea Council : Tea 4 You : Tea Growing

[Veles_Machina84]

Ah, good stuff. Thank you both for the advice

It may well be an ambitious start. I'll try and grow something a little easier first, but I do want to try something different. I'm sure there will be some varieties of plant I can make in to a herbal tea that are native to the UK.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Veles_Machina84]

P.S - I wish my house was 2,100 metres above sea level. What a time saver!

[Llamas]

I think there is an estate in cornwall......clicketyclick... There IS and estate in cornwall which grows and produces tea Tregothnan - Tea, honey, herbal tea, bouquets, garlands, sash windows, Botanic Garden- the real working English Estate. I work in a tea shop which sells 100+ types of tea but I have not yet been able to try this one, so I can't tell you what it might taste like, but it's an intriguing idea! I'd love to grow my own tea plant one day too! You'll have to let us know how it works out.