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Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

Evergreen · Full Sun / Part Shade

Mature size: 8m–20m high × 5m–10m wide

  • Evergreen
  • Full Sun / Part Shade
  • Mature sizeHeight8m–20mWidth5m–10m
  • Frost Sensitive
  • Flowers

Most loved for its distinctive layered papery bark, cream bottlebrush flowers, and toughness in both wet and dry conditions, making it a resilient feature and habitat tree.

Regular price $140.00
Sale price $140.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
Title: 30cm/33cm
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
30cm/33cm

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Quantity

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
30cm/33cmApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$140.00
40cm/45LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$280.00
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$700.00
200L - Pre Order November 26Approx. height: Enquire for current heights$1,460.00

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

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    About Melaleuca quinquenervia

    Melaleuca quinquenervia, the Broad-leaved Paperbark, is a hardy Australian native grown for its distinctive thick papery cream bark and fluffy creamy-white bottlebrush flowers. The soft layered bark gives the tree strong year-round character and sculptural appeal.

    Paperbark grows to 8-15 metres tall and 5-8 metres wide, forming a broad rounded canopy of grey-green to mid-green lance-shaped leaves that casts light shade. It suits feature planting in gardens and parks, wetland restoration, and ecological revegetation, bringing texture and habitat value to the landscape.

    Paperbark is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to part shade across a wide range of soils, and it is unusually versatile in tolerating both drought and waterlogged or seasonally wet ground once established. It performs well across NSW, QLD, and frost-free parts of VIC, WA and the NT, attracting honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees with its autumn and spring flowers.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    How tall does the Paperbark Tree grow?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia grows to 8-15 metres tall and 5-8 metres wide with an upright spreading canopy.

    How fast does the Paperbark grow?

    The Broad-leaved Paperbark is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year once established.

    What does the bark look like?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia has distinctive thick, spongy, papery bark in cream and white tones that peels in soft layers, giving the tree its common name and strong year-round visual interest.

    Is the Paperbark Tree an Australian native?

    Yes. Melaleuca quinquenervia is native to coastal eastern Australia, ranging from NSW through QLD.

    Can the Paperbark tolerate wet soil?

    Yes. The Paperbark is unusually versatile, tolerating both waterlogged soils and drought once established, which makes it ideal for difficult sites and areas with variable drainage.

    When does the Paperbark flower?

    The Paperbark produces fluffy cream-white bottlebrush-like flowers mainly in autumn and spring, attracting honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees.

    Where does the Paperbark grow best in Australia?

    The Paperbark thrives across NSW, QLD, and frost-free parts of VIC, WA and the NT, tolerating coastal exposure and a wide range of soils.

    Key growing information
    Mature height8m to 20m (approx.)
    Mature width5m to 10m
    PositionFull Sun / Part Shade
    Growth per year50cm to 100cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.)
    FrostFrost Sensitive
    FoliageEvergreen (foliage year round)
    FormBroad
    UsesFeature Tree · Shade Tree · Council or Civic Landscapes · Revegetation or Regeneration · Rural Property Planting
    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    • Part Shade
    Form
    • Broad
    Use
    • Feature Tree
    • Shade Tree
    • Council or Civic Landscapes
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Rural Property Planting
    Mature height
    8m to 20m (approx.)
    Mature width
    5m to 10m
    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

    Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

    Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

    Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

    Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

    Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

    • Fast Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

    Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

    Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

    Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

    Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree in Different Soil

    Melaleuca quinquenervia performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

    Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

    Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

    Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

    pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

    • Feature Tree
    • Shade Tree
    • Council or Civic Landscapes
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Rural Property Planting

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree works in an:

    • Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
    • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
    • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

    Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

    Mature Height: 8m to 20m (approx.)

    Mature Width: 5m to 10m

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

    Growth Rate of Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

    They are considered to have a:

    • Fast Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree frost tolerant?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

    Does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Flower?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia produces creamy-white to soft yellow bottlebrush-style flowers from late spring through autumn. These fluffy cylindrical blooms occur in repeated flushes and contrast beautifully with the iconic layered papery bark and broad, bright green foliage.

    Does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Summer
    • Autumn

    Flower Type:

    • Fluffy

    Flower Colour:

    Cream

    Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree an Australian Native Tree?

    Yes

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree is Native to Native to coastal eastern Australia and southern New Guinea, where it grows in wetlands, swamps, and along waterways.

    What is the Wildlife Value of Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree ?

    Its nectar-rich blooms attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and a variety of beneficial insects. The thick, textured bark provides habitat for insects and microfauna, while the dense canopy offers excellent nesting and shelter for small birds. In wetland settings, it also supports frogs and moisture-loving wildlife, making it one of the most ecologically valuable native trees.

    How much Sunlight does Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree need?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun
    • Part Shade

    Preferred Soil?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia performs best in moist, well-drained loam or sandy soils and tolerates slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Although adaptable, it may struggle in compacted, heavy clay unless improved with organic matter to enhance structure, drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its unique bark development, evergreen canopy health and steady seasonal flowering.

    Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Drought Tolerant?

    Is Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree Drought tolerant?

    As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established the Paperbark Tree offers good drought tolerance. It thrives in both wet and dry conditions and is especially suited to seasonal flooding, though it benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells to maintain vigorous growth.

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How tall does the Paperbark Tree grow?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia grows to 8-15 metres tall and 5-8 metres wide with an upright spreading canopy.

    How fast does the Paperbark grow?

    The Broad-leaved Paperbark is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year once established.

    What does the bark look like?

    Melaleuca quinquenervia has distinctive thick, spongy, papery bark in cream and white tones that peels in soft layers, giving the tree its common name and strong year-round visual interest.

    Is the Paperbark Tree an Australian native?

    Yes. Melaleuca quinquenervia is native to coastal eastern Australia, ranging from NSW through QLD.

    Can the Paperbark tolerate wet soil?

    Yes. The Paperbark is unusually versatile, tolerating both waterlogged soils and drought once established, which makes it ideal for difficult sites and areas with variable drainage.

    When does the Paperbark flower?

    The Paperbark produces fluffy cream-white bottlebrush-like flowers mainly in autumn and spring, attracting honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees.

    Where does the Paperbark grow best in Australia?

    The Paperbark thrives across NSW, QLD, and frost-free parts of VIC, WA and the NT, tolerating coastal exposure and a wide range of soils.

    Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree

    Compare sizes side by side

    30cm/33cm

    Enquire for current heights

    40cm/45L

    Enquire for current heights

    100L

    Enquire for current heights

    200L - Pre Order November 26

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Melaleuca quinquenervia is loved for its distinctive layered papery bark, cream bottlebrush flowers, and toughness in both wet and dry conditions, making it a resilient feature and habitat tree.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

    Plant Your Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark Tree With:

    Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

    Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

    Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

    Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Enriched Planting Mix

    What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

    It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

    What plants is it suitable for?

    It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

    Is it safe for natives?

    No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

    Is it certified organic?

    Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

    How much do I need?

    Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

    Can I use it in pots?

    It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

    Does it need to be watered in?

    Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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