Melaleuca

Australia; 1 - 5m
Planting position: Full sun or semi-shade. Wind-protected area while young. Areas without extreme heat and humidity. Ideal for coastal areas with windy and sandy conditions.
Tolerates drought, once established.
Requires regular watering during dry spells or seasons. Well-draining, compost-enriched soil. Spring application of slow-release fertiliser. Watch out for attacks from leaf-eating insects.
Propagate from summer and autumn cuttings or seed.

These fast-growing evergreens produce small, slim leaves and bottlebrush- type flowers. Its bark is papery and peels thinly.
Armillaris (5m) has creamy spring flowers on its slender, graceful branches.
Bracteata ‘Revolution Gold’ (4m) is known for its lime-green, striking new leaves in spring. Small, cream summer flowers are rarely seen as well.
Fulgens (1 - 1,5m) produces bright red spring flowers.
Hypericifolia (3m) with light green foliage and rich red flower spikes in spring.
Incana (2 - 3m) has small, creamy-yellow summer flowers and greyish leaves.
Lateritia (2m) bears rich orange, spring flowers on its slender branches.