Creek Bottle Brush Melaleuca viminalis

Weeping Bottle Brush is a large, multi-trunked, flowering shrub or small tree native to Australia in the myrtle family. At maturity, it can reach a height of 30 feet. The plant has pendulous branches, hard bark, and bright red bottle brush flowers that bloom from spring to summer. The flowers are arranged as a spike at the end of the branches, which continue to grow after the flowers bloom. The genus name comes from the Greek melas meaning black and leukos meaning white because the trees often have a black trunk and white branches. The species name means "having long, slender branches".

Weeping Bottle Brush does well in moist, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. It needs regular watering but can survive drought as a mature plant although it is not frost hardy and will succumb to salt spray. It will need protection if grown in colder climates. It is useful as a screening plant and is suitable for planting as a street tree.

Weeping Bottle Brush is probably the most commonly cultivated melaleuca in Australian gardens and its cultivars are often grown in many countries. In its native environment, mature plants can survive strong currents during floods and reduce erosion. The matted roots of this species also strengthen the soil of riverbanks. Pruning is recommended after flowering to remove most of the spent flowers and encourage an attractive growth habit.

Diseases, Insect  Pests and other Plant Problems:

The plant may suffer attacks by scale insects, thrips and occasionally sawfly larvae.