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ShrubsTrees

Melaleuca alternifolia

An evergreen shrub or tree, to 6m in its native Australia, with papery, grey-white bark and smooth, linear, needle-like leaves to 3cm long, scattered irregularly or whorled along the stems. The leaves are the source of tea tree oil. In summer it produces small white flowers, held in dense spikes that resemble a bottle-brush; these are followed by small, woody, cup-shaped fruits

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Commonly known as 'tea-tree', this is a genus of nearly 300 species of paper barks, honey myrtles or tea trees, endemic to Australia where they can be found near streams and swamps. These small trees have white, papery bark and soft, smooth oily leaves. Flowers are white and brush-like
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Australia (S.E. Queensland, New South Wales)

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately while in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in spring, or root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 1; plants under glass may need restrictive pruning after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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