Melaleuca fulgens
scarlet honey-myrtle
Inland Western Australia and central Australia
Overview
Melaleuca fulgens is an evergreen shrub in the Myrtaceae family, growing 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall and 3-6.5 feet (1-2 m) wide with an upright, open form. The leaves are narrow and linear, 0.4-1.6 inches (1-4 cm) long, grey-green to blue-green, arranged in opposite pairs along the stems. Bottlebrush flower clusters 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long open in spring, in shades of red, orange, pink, or occasionally lilac depending on form, with the colour coming mainly from the long bundled stamens. Woody cup-shaped fruits follow and cluster along the stems. It is native to drier inland parts of Western Australia and central Australia and grows on sandy and gravelly soils with sharp drainage. It withstands drought and heat once established and tolerates light frost to about 25F (-4C). It needs good drainage and full sun, and it is shorter-lived in humid, poorly drained conditions. The flowers draw nectar-feeding birds.
Native Range
Melaleuca fulgens is native to inland Western Australia and central Australia, where it grows in dry, open country on sandy and gravelly soils. It is adapted to low rainfall and sharp drainage.Suggested Uses
Grown in dry-climate, gravel, and native gardens, spaced 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) apart. It suits low-water and inland gardens with sharp drainage. The flowers draw nectar-feeding birds into the garden.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3'3" - 9'10"
Width/Spread3'3" - 6'7"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring, roughly August to November in the Southern Hemisphere, with scattered flowers at other times. The bottlebrush clusters open in red, orange, or pink by form. Nectar-feeding birds visit the flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Red, orange, or pinkFoliage Description
Grey-green to blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil at a pH of 6.0-7.5. Water needs are low once established, and the plant withstands heat and drought, reflecting its arid origin. It tolerates light frost to about 25F (-4C). In humid climates and heavy or wet soils it is shorter-lived and prone to root rot. Sharp drainage and air movement are the main factors in its longevity.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering, removing spent flower clusters with a short length of stem, keeps the shrub compact. It tolerates trimming of soft growth but is slow to reshoot from bare old wood. Pruning is done in dry conditions to limit fungal entry.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons