Melaleuca linariifolia
snow-in-summer
Overview
Melaleuca linariifolia is an evergreen tree in the family Myrtaceae reaching 20-33 feet (6-10 m) tall and 13-20 feet (4-6 m) wide, with a spreading, bushy crown and white papery bark that peels in layers. The narrow, linear leaves are 0.8-1.5 inches (20-40 mm) long, soft green, and arranged in opposite pairs. Dense white flower spikes 1-1.5 inches (25-40 mm) long cover the canopy in early summer, formed of many slender stamens, and give the common name snow-in-summer. Small woody capsules form along the stems and hold seed for years. The tree tolerates wet, poorly drained, and periodically flooded soils as well as drier sites once established. Surface roots can lift paving and compete with nearby plants. Growth is fast, with trees gaining 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) a year when young. The bark and dense canopy shelter small birds.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, along the coast and adjacent ranges from Queensland to New South Wales. Grows in swampy ground, along watercourses, and on seasonally wet flats, often in heavy soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as a street, park, and screen tree, and in wet or poorly drained sites where other trees fail, spaced 13-20 feet (4-6 m) apart. The dense canopy forms a windbreak and screen and shelters birds. The spreading surface roots make it unsuited to positions close to paving, drains, or foundations.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 33'
Width/Spread13' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
White flower spikes appear in early summer, mainly November to December in its native range, and can cover the whole canopy at peak. Flowering lasts 2-4 weeks. Bees and nectar-feeding birds visit the flowers heavily during this period.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
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 to light shade in a wide range of soils, including wet, heavy, and periodically flooded ground, as well as drier soils once established. Young trees grow fast with regular water, gaining 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) a year. The species tolerates waterlogging that kills many other trees but also handles short dry spells after establishment. Surface roots can lift paving, block drains, and compete with nearby plantings. Few serious pests affect it, though sawfly larvae sometimes strip foliage. Old bark sheds in papery layers and collects at the base.Pruning
Tolerates hard pruning and reshoots readily from old wood and the trunk. Lower branches are removed in winter to form a clear trunk where a single-stemmed tree is wanted. Hedging cuts are made after flowering to keep a dense screen.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter