Overview

Melaleuca glaberrima is a bushy shrubs in the genus Melaleuca, part of the Myrtaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Melaleuca glaberrima grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include mediterranean climate plants, patio and container plants and conservatory and greenhouse.

About

Melaleuca glaberrima is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Myrtaceae, notable for dense, spreading growth and needle-like leaves. It produces profuse heads of pink to mauve flowers that flower in June to August and may fade paler with age. Plant it in full sun in a sheltered spot with moist but well-drained loam or sandy soil. It is rated H2 in the UK and suits patios, conservatories or Mediterranean-style borders.

About the genus

Melaleuca is a genus of nearly 300 species of plants in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, commonly known as paperbarks, honey-myrtles, bottlebrushes or tea-trees. They range in size from small shrubs that rarely grow to more than 1 m high, to trees up to 35 m (115 ft). Their flowers generally occur in groups, forming a "head" or "spike" resembling a brush used for cleaning bottles, containing up to 80 individual flowers.

Wikipedia contributors, "Melaleuca", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Melaleuca

In the garden

Melaleuca glaberrima originates from south-western Australia and sits in the Myrtaceae family as an evergreen shrub or small tree with a compact, well-branched habit and narrow, needle-like foliage. Flower heads are produced in summer, offering dense clusters of pink to mauve blooms through June to August that often fade lighter as they age. Position the plant in full sun in a sheltered, east-, south- or west-facing site. It grows best in loam or sandy soils that hold moisture without becoming waterlogged; a free-draining loam-based compost or sandy mix works well for containers. The species tolerates a wide soil pH range (acid to alkaline) but dislikes prolonged waterlogging. In the UK it is H2 (half-hardy), so give protection from sustained severe frost—container specimens can be moved into a conservatory or greenhouse over winter or mulched and placed against a sheltered wall. Prune with care because flowers form on older wood: light shaping after flowering keeps a neat outline without cutting back into leafless stems. Recommended uses include Mediterranean-style planting, patios and containers, and protected conservatory displays where its summer flower heads can be enjoyed up close; the blooms are followed by small woody, cup-shaped capsules that persist along the stems.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Melaleuca

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Melaleuca glaberrima size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs, Trees

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Conservatory and greenhouse

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Melaleuca glaberrima

Propagation

Sow seed in spring, root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Pest resistance

Glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions