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Melaleuca bracteata (River teatree)

Other names: River tea tree, Black teatree, Black tea tree, Mock olive, Melaleuca deleana, Melaleuca glaucocalyx, Melaleuca monticola, Melaleuca genistifolia var. coriacea

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Species
M. bracteata is a half-hardy, variable, rounded, spreading, or open, evergreen shrub or small tree with spirally-arranged, hairy, linear to narrowly lance-shaped, dark green leaves and clusters of fluffy, cream or white flowers from spring to early summer. Flowers are followed by small, spherical to ovoid, grey-brown seed capsules.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
10 m 8 m 10-20 years
32 ft 26 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Neutral
  • Acid
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, best grown in moist or moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Tolerates drought once established but better with regular moisture. Tolerates light shade and light frost. Tends to hybridize freely with other Melaleuca species. Where native, grows at elevations up to 300m (980'). Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water moderately & feed monthly in growth. Feed with a low-phosphorus fertilizer.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, City, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Conservatory, Hedging/Screens, Bees (attract & feed bees), Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Coastal, Wallside and trellises, Waterside

UK hardiness

H3

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Rounded, Spreading

Native to

Australia

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

If practical, deadhead after flowering. Pruning group 1. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Propagation

Sow seed at 20-25C (68-77F) in autumn or spring.

Pests

Scale insects

Red spider mite (box and other)

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Protect from hard winter frosts

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Apply a fertiliser container grown plants regularly

Sow seed in containers with heat (spring)

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Protect from cold drying winds (in cold areas)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Melaleuca

Companion plants (0)

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