Pink melaleuca - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Pink melaleuca — <em>Melaleuca nesophila</em>

Description

The pink melaleuca grows into large shrub to small tree, 10-18 ft. high, 15-20 ft. wide, often growing with a sprawling habit. Branching develops an interesting twisted character and is covered with light colored papery bark. Medium green leaves are elliptical, to 1 in. long; showy white to pink flowers occur in clusters during early summer.

Pink melaleuca is found on the islands off Western Australia on sandy soils and in areas exposed to salt spray and wind. In these habitats it is adapted to moist winter and dry summer conditions; in cultivation it responds well to regular moisture. Across the Inland Empire it has proven to be tolerant of many soils and grows well with low amounts of supplemental moisture. It is a versatile plant that is most useful on slopes, banks, and for screens. While this species can be sheared into a hedge, it is better suited to become a special interest plant in gardens when selective pruning reveals its twisting branches and unique bark character.

Water Needs

The pink melaleuca is well adapted to the Inland Empire in sunny garden locations and on many types of soils with low amounts of supplemental water during summer. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 2

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	1x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	1" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

1"-2"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Shrub
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Sprawling, Open, Multi-trunk, Mounding, Low-branching, Graceful
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 10 ft. - 18 in.
Width: 15 ft. - 20 ft.
Water Needs: Low 2
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Pink, White
Flower Season: Summer
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Silt, Sand, Loam, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Heat, Fog, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Specimen, Slopes, Screening, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Grouped, Foundations, Flowering accent plant, Commercial spaces, Civic spaces, Banks, Background plant