Browse plants / Myrtaceae
Broad-leaved paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, flowering
- March, flowering
- April, flowering
- May, flowering
- June, flowering
- July, flowering
- August, not flowering
- September, not flowering
- October, not flowering
- November, not flowering
- December, not flowering
Large paperbark with thick white bark and cream bottlebrushes, at home in wet ground.
A tall tree from coastal swamps with thick, layered, papery bark and stiff, five-veined leaves. Cream flower spikes from late summer into winter are rich in nectar for birds, flying foxes and bees. Thrives in waterlogged soil.
In the garden
- Flowers
- Cream bottlebrush spikes, 4 to 8 cm long.
- Leaves
- Stiff, oval leaves with five veins; thick, layered, papery bark.
- Attracts
- Birds, pollinating insects and shelter for small wildlife
Growing conditions
- Climate
- Tropical, subtropical and temperate
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy, loam and clay
- Drainage
- Copes with waterlogging
- Frost
- Light frost
- Water
- Some dry spells
- Coast
- Sheltered coastal gardens
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Seed
Planting
Full sun with room for a large tree, well away from pipes. Ideal for wet, low-lying ground.
Pruning
Little pruning needed.
Care
Water through long dry spells. Usually trouble-free; prune out tips webbed by sawfly larvae.
Safety
Vigorous roots can damage drains and paving. The flowers have a heavy scent and the pollen can bother people with allergies.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Order
- Myrtales
- Native to
- New South Wales and Queensland
- Natural range
- Coastal swamps and wetlands from north Queensland to the Sydney region.
Where to buy
Widely available.
We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.
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Further reading
- Melaleuca quinquenervia on the Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas of Living Australia)
Native nurseries near you
An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.