Golden Bottlebrush (Melaleuca bracteata) - Avenue Tree

About Golden Bottlebrush (Melaleuca bracteata)

Golden Bottlebrush is a charming, delicate-looking small tree grown chiefly for its drooping golden foliage - the young leaves emerge bright gold and gradually turn green with age, giving the whole tree a striking two-toned look that stands out in any landscape. Its slender, hanging branches resemble those of the true bottlebrush (Callistemon), to which it is closely related, and it produces small, creamy, inconspicuous flowers shaped like tiny bottlebrushes in spring that attract bees and other pollinators.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun - the golden foliage colour fades to green in too much shade.
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained garden soils.
• Climate: Hardy across a wide range of Indian climates.

Planting & Spacing

Ground planting is recommended; maintain a minimum spacing of 3x3 metres between plants when planting in a line or group. Handle the roots carefully during transplanting - even minor root damage can harm this plant, as it does not like being moved once settled.

Care

• Watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry; keep consistent but not excessive moisture.
• Fertilizer: Organic fertilizer 2-3 times a year once established.
• Pruning: Minimal - light shaping only, since the tree is sensitive to root disturbance and heavy handling.

Growth & Flowering

A small, weeping ornamental tree that typically reaches 4-6 metres at maturity. Its tiny creamy bottlebrush-shaped flowers appear in spring, drawing bees and other insects, while the golden new growth provides year-round visual interest.

Note: This listing ships a young nursery plant, not a mature tree. Growth rate and eventual size vary by climate, care, and region - we don't promise a fixed timeline. This plant's foliage contains natural aromatic oils, as is common in the tea-tree/Melaleuca family - it's best to keep pets from chewing on the leaves in quantity, as a general precaution.