This vibrant bottlebrush can be found in the first Glasshouse Bay.
Containing approximately 25 species from Australia Melaleuca (or bottlebrushes) belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). There is discussion about the classification of the genus, and some botanical authorities consider Melaleuca to be synonymous with Callistemon, which contains nearly 400 species from southern Asia and Australasia. This species is a native of western Australia. Growing to 2m in height and spread M. ‘Violaceus’ has alternate, slender, leathery leaves and terminal bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny, five-petalled flowers with long stamens. A frost-tender species M. ‘Violaceus’ will survive in neutral to acidic, moisture-retentive soil in full sun in a sheltered position.