Melaleuca hypericifolia- Hillock bush

Description

Common names: Hillock bush, Red-flowered paperbark, honey myrtle.

The paperbarks are a genus of nearly 300 species in the myrtle family. Most are endemic to Australia. Many are grown all around the world for their decorative peeling barks and colourful flower spikes on which hundreds of long-stamened flowers are arranged in the form of a bottlebrush. All species are important nectar sources for insects, birds and mammals. in NZ they are a valuable nectar source for bees, Tūī, bellbird (korimako), and silvereye (tauhou).

M. hypericifolia is a large woody shrub or small tree growing to 3 meters. Flowers are red to orange on spikes up to 60mm long and round. The long stamens are tipped with gold.The Plants naturally occur in damp areas in coastal parts of Australia. Best with some frost protection.

• Ht: 3 meters
• Sun to part shade
• Evergreen
• Wind and salt tolerant
• Range of soil conditions
• 1.25 ltr pot