This erect small shrub has contorted branches with a light grey papery bark and forms a compact bushy habit. It has thick textured dark green spoon-shaped leaves and the bright mauve pom-pom like flowers appear terminally from late spring to early summer. 

Hardiness zones 8 to 11 

Melaleuca spathulata is naturally found in south-western Western Australia growing on sand plains and gravely hillsides on the coast and inland. It prefers an open sunny position in well drained moderately fertile sandy-gravely soils, but will tolerate slightly heavier soil and is drought and light frost tolerant. 

This Melaleuca is grown for its a bushy habit and flowers. It is planted as a specimen in parks and gardens or used along borders to attract birds. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is moderately long lived. This shrub is also grown in planter boxes and is suitable for the humid eastern states of Australia. ID 3174

Melaleuca (me-la-LOO-ka) spathulata (SPATH-yoo-LAH-tah)

Myrtaceae (mir-TAY-see-ee)
Myrtle, Eucalyptus, Clove and Guava Family