Melaleuca nesophila aka Mauve Honey Myrtle

Melaleuca nesophila is a shrub or small tree. It keeps its leaves all year and comes from Western Australia. Its native range spans that state's west and south. Oregon State places it along the state's south coast. It belongs to Myrtaceae, the myrtle family. Its common names include pink melaleuca and showy honey-myrtle. Another name for it is western tea myrtle. All three names refer to the same species. Kew calls it a shrub from a subtropical climate.

In gardens, it grows about 20 feet [6 m] tall. Its spread reaches about 12 feet [3.6 m]. It can thus form a large shrub or small tree. Its frame has an uneven shape and looks greyish-white. The bark feels thick and spongy, not thin and smooth. It peels off in broad strips. The pale frame sets off the bright green leaves. These small leaves reach about 0.08 feet [0.025 m] long. Their shapes range from elliptic to oblong-obovate. Some are oval; others are longer and widen toward the tip. The leaves stay on the plant through the year.

Oregon State reports blooms from late spring through summer. The flowers range from lavender to rose pink. They form round clusters at the tips of shoots. Each cluster spans about 0.08 feet [0.025 m]. These pompon-shaped blooms give the shoots a soft, round look. Their colour stands out against the green leaves. Oregon State also shows clusters of fruit. It gives no written account of what the fruit looks like.

Grow this species in sun. It copes with sea winds and salt spray. These traits suit sites near the coast. It grows in rocky soil, too. Once it has settled in, it can cope with drought. This drought tolerance applies only to plants that have settled in. Oregon State rates its cold hardiness at USDA Zone 9. The supplied evidence gives no top end for this zone range.

The year-round leaves, pink blooms, and pale, peeling bark add garden interest. It also copes with harsh sites near the coast. This helps where salt spray limits the choice of plants. Leave room for both its height and broad spread. The sources give no pest or disease details for this species. They do not establish any edible uses. Nor do they establish its safety for people or pets.