This medium size shrub has a short trunk with grey papery bark and many spreading branches to ground level that form a rounded habit. It has grey green leathery elliptical leaves and the red bottlebrush-like flowers appear from spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Melaleuca elliptica is naturally found in south-west Western Australia from Esperance to the Stirling Ranges and north to Sharks Bay growing on granite outcrops in sandy soils. 

It prefers an open to exposed sunny position and it grows in well to poorly drained sandy clay soils with a granite base. It is frost and drought tolerant but and dislikes continuously wet soils. It also tolerates salt laden winds and dry coastal areas.

Granite Bottlebrush is grown for its flowers and dense bushy habit. It is planted in parks and gardens along borders for screening or maybe trained as an informal hedge.  It is also used as a windbreak in exposed coastal positions and can be grown in large tubs or planter boxes. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in 3-4 years and is moderately long lived. This shrub can also be planted in a sunny damp corner of the garden to attract native birds. ID 3320

Melaleuca (me-la-LOO-ka) elliptica ((ee-LIP-tih-kuh)

'Melaleuca': from Greek melanos + leukos - black & white (refers to the first species described)

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