Another top Paperbark: Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

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It has been a  paperbark appreciation month for me, I love Melaleuca’s as they will grow so easily in difficult heavy soils and their flowers are rich in nectar for birds and bees alike.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ is no exception, it covers itself in deep reddish purple flowers attracting honey eaters and bees. Above a Rainbow Lorikeet is enjoying the nectar from the abundant flowers in a garden design I revisited recently.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ as the name suggests has a gentle weeping habit and a wonderful papery bark. It grows to between 6-8 metres in a dense reasonably narrow habit, making it a perfect medium feature tree for suburban gardens and an excellent street tree.

Melaleuca ‘Candy Sparkles’ is also a Melaleuca viridiflora but is a smaller more bush like plant.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

This Melaleuca was photographed in Autumn, flowering will continue through Winter and will flower again in Spring, like many of the Callistemons it seems you get two showy flowering times a year.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’1

This Melaleuca is also great as a screening tree, and is fast growing. Prune after flowering to promote healthy new growth. A small amount of slow release native fertiliser can also help give your plant a boost.

Adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay, loamy, and sandy soils, this plant has been know to help with erosion control.  Adding wind tolerance to it’s resume it can be used for wind protection in the garden.

It can tolerate both acidic and alkaline pH levels. It will not withstand heavy frosts, only occasional light frost once established.

Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

This Melaleuca is not often seen in nurseries but it is worth trying to hunt down if you have the time, its a gorgeous, hardy, quick growing tree and it would be great to see it used more often, the birds will thank you too 🙂

Comments

15 responses to “Another top Paperbark: Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’”

  1. Fay Donovan

    I have been trying to buy 3 melaleuca viridiflora burgundy trees and haven’t been able to source them. I live in Townsville. Do you stock them or do you knoe where I can buy them to be sent to Townsville?

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Fay,

      Sydney Wildflower Nursery have them in stock and courier plants interstate, http://www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au/

      Good Luck,

      Kath

    2. Kathryn

      Hello Fay
      I think there are three viridiflora in Oonoonba Park.
      I took some cuttings a few days ago. I’m trying hardwood and softwood, and I’ve had some success with callistemon, so thought it was worth a shot.
      The park trees are not in great shape. Some borers, I think.

      1. Fay Donovan

        Thanks to you both for answers to my enquiry. I have only just discovered them.

        Kath Gadd: I hope you had some success with your cuttings. The trees are also growing in Bamford Lane, but are hard to identify as the Burgundt Weeper unless they are flowering.

        Kathryn: I just had a look at the Sydney Wildflower Nursery and they don’t seem to have Melaleuca Viridiflora Burgundy now, so I have missed. They are also sometimes in stock at Yuruga Nursery near Atherton. I won’t give up and thanks to you both
        Cheers Fay

  2. Wendi

    Hi,
    I was hoping you’d be able to advise me if M.viridifola ‘Burgandy Weeper will grow in the Coffs Harbour region on the mid north coast of NSW .

    Thanking you,

    Wendi

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Wendi,

      Yes Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ should grow very well on north coast of NSW, it comes from Queensland and the Northern Territory so enjoys the moist humid weather 😉

      Best Wishes,

      Kath

  3. Wendi

    Hi,
    Will this cultivar handle continuously moist clay loam soil?
    Kind regards,
    Wendi

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Again,

      Yes it would be happy in a moist clay loam soil,

      Thanks,

      Kath

      1. Wendi

        Hi Kath,

        Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful replies.

        Kindest regards,

        Wendi

  4. I live on the Sunshine Coast Queensland and am wanting to buy a Melaleuca viridiflora burgundy weeper but as yet not having too much luck. Would appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction to purchase one. Thankyou in anticipation.

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Sandra,

      Have you tried https://nativesrus.com.au ?

      I know they sometimes stock it,

      Good Luck,

      Kath

  5. Michelle Dixon

    Pete’s Hobby Nursery in Lowood QLD has them

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Michelle,

      Thanks for the tip, I am not very familiar with the local nurseries in your region and it’s always good to expand my list!

      Kath

  6. Danielle

    Good morning ,
    I just bought one and now wondering where to plant it , my neighbour said they have an invasive root system and not to plant it near the house or near the fence ? I wanted to plant it about 5 meters from the corner of the house what would you recommend please .
    Kind regards
    Danielle

    1. Kath Gadd

      Hi Danielle,

      As long as there is no pipe work near your house 5 metres should be fine, you could always install root barrier if you were concerned.

      Best Wishes,

      Kath

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