Family: Myrtaceae
Common Name: Honey Myrtle, Paperbark

These evergreen trees and shrubs are mostly indigenous to Australia, although a few species are found in New Guinea, coastal Southeast Asia and New Caledonia. There are around 140 species in the genus which is closely related to Callistemon (bottlebrush), but distinguishable by the colourful, bunched stamens of the brush flowers. Melaleucas make beautiful ornamentals, with their attractive, neat foliage, compact growth habit and dazzling spring and summer flower displays. They are recommended for relatively frost-free climates, or for the cool conservatory or greenhouse, where frosts are a problem.

They are widely used in landscaping because of their tolerance of pollution, salt winds and saline soils. They can also withstand wet, boggy conditions and cold. None of the species do well in hot, very dry situations. All species respond well to pruning and clipping. The Western Australian species make outstanding garden shrubs, some growing into spreading, flat-topped bushes, forming natural hedges.

M. alternifolia and M. linariifolia yield fragrant oils with antiseptic properties, used in a range of products. Saplings from some species, like M. ericifolia and M. squarrosa, are used to make rustic garden furniture and brushwood fencing. The timber of most of the tree-size species is unaffected by moisture and is invaluable for posts and boatbuilding. The bark of these trees is used to make bark paintings and to line hanging baskets. The flowers are useful for attracting birds to the garden and are long lasting when cut. In many different colours, they are produced in clusters or singly, either along the stem or terminally. The capsular fruits contain many tiny seeds. The foliage is very variable and may be needle-like, flat or scale-like. It is widely used in floral art.

Species

Not all of these are available outside their country of origin.

M. armillaris, bracelet honey myrtle, is a small to medium-sized, spreading tree, growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall and 3-6 m (10-20 ft) wide. It has dark green, needle-like foliage and small, whitish cream brushes. A fast-growing species, it is very useful as a hedge plant.

M. bracteata, black tea tree, has attractive foliage and cream, terminal flowers. It is a good choice for coastal gardens as it is very suitable for wet situations. Cultivar 'Golden Gem' grows to 2 m (6 ft), with variegated yellowish foliage; 'Revolution Green', with very fine, light green foliage, makes a useful screen plant.

M. decussata, totem pole, is a hardy species which grows 2-5 m (6-16 ft) tall, with upright, small-leafed foliage and mauve brushes in spring.

M. ericifolia, swamp paperbark, can be used to improve the drainage of difficult sites. It is bog-and salt-resistant, and has fine, dark green foliage and white brushes in spring.

M. fulgens, showy honey myrtle, is a shrub to 2 m (6 ft) high, with an erect, open habit. In spring and summer, it is covered with beautiful, scarlet brushes, tipped in gold.

M. hypericifolia is a rounded shrub to around 3 m (10 ft) high, with drooping branches, oval leaves and bright orange-red flowers.

M. incana is an outstanding shrub grown for its soft, grayish, weeping foliage and dainty, creamy yellow spring flowers.

M. laterita, robin red breast shrub, grows 2-3 m (6-10 ft) high, with thick foliage and bright orange-red brushes from summer to autumn.

M. nesophila, one of the Western Australian species, is a hardy, bushy, erect shrub, to about 5 m (16 ft), with lovely, mauvish pink flowers, gold-tipped stamens and gray-green, oval leaves.

M. pulchella, claw honey myrtle, is a small, hardy shrub, with soft foliage and bright, purplish pink, claw-shaped flowers from summer to autumn.

M. steedmanii is a very attractive shrub, to 2 m (6 ft) high, with thick, grayish foliage and large, bright red flowers, tipped with gold.

M. styphelioides, prickly-leafed paperbark, grows to about 9 m (30 ft) tall, with a white, papery trunk and small cream-coloured brushes. In a suitable climate this is a good shade tree.

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in pots of soil-based potting compost. Ensure airy conditions and maximum light, but shade from direct strong sun. Do not be too free with the watering in the growing season as very wet compost is disliked, and be even more sparing in winter. In the garden, plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Shade is appreciated during the hottest part of the day. If necessary, prune after flowering to restrict size. Propagate from seed in spring or from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, with basal warmth for both.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9, or zone 10.