1 named cultivar

‘Claret Tops’Claret Tops Honey Myrtle, Narrow-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-summer

tree

Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal)

The Story

Plant Bio

Melaleuca linariifolia, the flax-leaved paperbark, is an evergreen tree native to eastern Australia, occurring along watercourses and swamp margins. The species develops a dense, upright canopy of narrow, linear leaves and distinctive papery, peeling bark.

During spring and summer, the foliage is completely covered by dense, fluffy, paired spikes of white flowers. This heavy nectar flow attracts native honeyeaters, bees, and beneficial insects.

Uses & Benefits:

Features peeling, papery bark and a dense canopy that is completely covered in fluffy white flowers during spring and summer.

Highly effective for erosion control along watercourses and performs exceptionally well in poorly drained or seasonally waterlogged soils.

Provides a significant nectar source for native honeyeaters, bees, and beneficial insects, while offering dense shelter for small birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

472 inches

Width

315 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium to high

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-draining soil or a seasonally waterlogged area.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits at its original soil level.
Backfill the hole, firming the soil gently around the roots, and water in thoroughly to settle the soil.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it clear of the main trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Never prune hard into old, leafless wood; unlike some other native trees, paperbarks lack active epicormic buds on bare trunks and will suffer dieback rather than shooting anew.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during dry spells to maintain soil moisture, especially while the plant is establishing.
Tip-prune young plants after flowering to encourage a dense, bushy habit.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring if soil nutrients are poor.

Don't

Do not cut back into bare, leafless wood, as the plant will fail to shoot from old bark.
Do not use standard high-phosphorus fertilisers, even though Myrtaceae are less sensitive than Proteaceae.
Do not allow overhead watering to saturate young foliage, which increases the risk of myrtle rust.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Windbreak or privacy screenWet area planting along watercourses or bog gardensSpecimen tree for bark and floral display

Companion Plants

Leptospermum continentale Callistemon citrinus Lomandra longifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) questions

What zones can Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) grow in?

Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) bloom?

Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) need full sun?

Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Flax-leaved Paperbark, Snow-in-Summer, Budjur (Gadigal) handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.