MELALEUCA. This and Callistemon are the two major groups of Australian shrubs and trees popularly known as the bottlebrushes. They are extremely variable in habit, but most have picturesque branching patterns and attractive, usually light-colored bark. Leaves may be broadly oval to needle-like. Flowers are borne in dense clusters along the stems, at the shoot tips or on separate flowering shoots. Usually their conspicuous feature is a large brush of colored stamens. The following are all tough, easily grown shrubs, thriving in sun, most soils, with moderate to occasional watering. Hardiness varies.
incana. This is quite distinct from other melaleucas in cultivation. It grows more spreading than erect, about 5' by 8-10' in this selection. Narrow, fuzzy grey leaves are closely set around the stems, which droop gracefully in new growth. In spring the shoots are tipped by small, round clusters of yellowish cream blossoms. A striking foliage shrub. Sun, reasonably well drained soil, moderate to occasional watering when established. Hardy to 18oF or below.
lateritia is my personal favorite of the group, though there are other equally beautiful species. It grows fountainlike to about 6', broadening with age. Attractive smooth pale tan bark shows through a light veil of very narrow, light green 3/4" leaves. The short flower brushes, borne mostly on older wood in summer, are colored a blazing orange-scarlet. Hardy to 15-20oF.
thymifolia. A pretty little shrub, growing about 3' tall and branching freely. The young twigs are lined by narrow bluish green leaves. In summer and fall small clusters of mauve pink blossoms with feathery segments, quite different from the usual “bottlebrushes”, are dotted over the plant. Easily grown and thus far proven hardy to 15oF or less.
wilsonii—prostrate form. Melaleuca wilsonii is a small shrub of highly variable habit. This selection has almost perfectly prostrate branches, eventually forming a low mound perhaps 2' tall by 4-8' broad. The trunks have attractive, pale tan bark. Younger stems are closely lined with narrow, almost heath-like leaves 1/2-1" long and light, slightly greyish green in color. A fine small-scale bank cover. 15-20o