Melaleuca Leucadendra – Weeping paperbark

Description

Melaleuca leucadendra – Weeping Paperbark

Family: Myrtaceae
Packet Size: Approx. 500+ seeds

Description

Melaleuca leucadendra, called Weeping Paperbark or Long-leaved Paperbark, is a striking northern Australian native tree with graceful drooping branches, long narrow green leaves and creamy-white layered bark. Its distinctive weeping form brings movement and texture to tropical landscapes.

Cream to greenish-cream bottlebrush-like flower spikes provide nectar for insects, birds and other wildlife. In favourable tropical conditions this species can become a substantial tree, often exceeding 15–20 m tall, so it is best suited to parks, expansive gardens and rural properties rather than small courtyards.

Key Features

• Foliage: Long, tapering green leaves on elegant weeping branches.
• Bark: Attractive, layered pale paperbark on the trunk and older branches.
• Flowers: Pale cream flower spikes with a nectar-rich display.
• Habit: Potentially tall, spreading tree; allow substantial room for maturity.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun for strong growth.
• Soil: Naturally suited to river flats, moist ground and periodically flooded sites.
• Climate: Warm subtropical to tropical areas; shelter young trees from frost.
• Care: Water while young and choose a planting site clear of buildings, drains and overhead cables.

Propagation from Seed

1. Prepare: Fine Melaleuca seed usually needs no pretreatment.
2. Sow: Surface-sow thinly on clean, moist, free-draining seed-raising mix and press gently into contact.
3. Germinate: Maintain warmth, light and even moisture using a fine mist or bottom watering.
4. Grow on: Pot up rooted seedlings and acclimatise them carefully before planting in a suitable large landscape.

Germination advice: These instructions are a recommended guide. Germination results and timing may vary depending on seed freshness, storage, temperature and growing conditions. Alternative propagation methods may also be successful.