Melaleuca Cotton Candy

Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy'

Description: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy', commonly known as Cotton Candy Melaleuca, is a delightful evergreen shrub celebrated for its stunning pink flowers and fine, feathery foliage. This Australian native plant is prized for its ornamental value and adaptability, making it a fantastic addition to a variety of garden settings.

Flowers: The flowers of Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy' are fluffy, pink, and appear in dense, cylindrical spikes along the stems. Blooming from late spring to early summer, these eye-catching flowers resemble cotton candy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding life and color to the garden.

Foliage: The foliage consists of small, narrow, and finely textured leaves that are bright green. The dense foliage provides a lush, soft appearance, which contrasts beautifully with the vibrant pink flowers and adds to the plant's ornamental charm.

Form and Size: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy' has a bushy, upright growth habit, typically reaching up to 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) in height and 1.5-2 meters (5-6.5 feet) in spread. Its compact form makes it ideal for use as a hedge, border plant, or in mixed shrub plantings.

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Thrives in bright light but can tolerate some shade, particularly in hotter climates.
• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. Adapts well to various soil types, including sandy and loamy soils, and prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.
• Water: Low to moderate water requirements once established. Water regularly during the growing season to establish roots and reduce watering as the plant matures. It is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during extended dry periods.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm, temperate to subtropical climates. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11. Protect from frost and extreme cold.
• Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity levels. Suitable for typical garden conditions without the need for additional humidity.

Uses: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy' is primarily grown for its ornamental value. It makes an excellent hedge or border plant, providing a dense, evergreen screen. The plant's vibrant flowers and lush foliage add visual interest to garden beds, borders, and large containers. It is also well-suited for use in native and wildlife gardens, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Maintenance: This plant is relatively low-maintenance. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches to keep the plant healthy. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize lightly in the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

Notes: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy' is non-toxic and safe to grow around pets and children. It is relatively pest and disease-resistant but may occasionally attract aphids or scale insects, which can be treated with appropriate insecticides.

Companion Plants: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy' pairs well with other low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants with similar growing requirements, such as:

• Grevillea species
• Callistemon species (Bottlebrush)
• Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary)
• Correa species

Common Name: Cotton Candy Melaleuca

Botanical Name: Melaleuca 'Cotton Candy'

Family: Myrtaceae

Origin: Native to Australia, cultivated as an ornamental plant variety

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