{"product_id":"melaleuca-linariifolia-claret-tops","title":"Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSnow-in-Summer \/ Claret Tops Paperbark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMelaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Myrtaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern Australia (NSW, QLD); cultivar selected for ornamental foliage\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact evergreen ornamental shrub (dwarf selection)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops' is a stunning cultivar of the native Snow-in-Summer paperbark, prized for its vivid claret-red to burgundy new growth that emerges in striking contrast to the mature mid-green foliage. In summer, it puts on a spectacular secondary display when the entire canopy becomes smothered in dense, fluffy white flowers — a true dual-season performer. Compact, tidy and tough, it is ideally suited to South Australian gardens seeking year-round colour with minimal fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.0–1.5 m H x 1.0–2.0 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; approximately 15–30 cm per year; dense, compact and bushy with a naturally well-branched, rounded habit that requires little shaping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narrow linear leaves, mid-green at maturity; striking claret-red to deep burgundy new growth flushes appear repeatedly through spring and summer, creating a vivid two-tone canopy effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fluffy, bottlebrush-style white flower spikes (paperbark-type staminal blooms); profuse and densely covering the canopy; summer (December–February); lightly honey-fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vibrant claret new growth flushes in spring and again through summer; white flower spectacle in midsummer; papery, layered cream-white bark provides year-round textural interest on mature stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent — abundant white flowers are rich in nectar, strongly attracting honeyeaters (New Holland, Wattlebirds), native bees, and a wide range of beneficial pollinating insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; heat-tolerant (suits Adelaide plains summers); moderate frost hardy to approximately -4°C (suitable for Adelaide Hills and most metropolitan areas); coastal-tolerant (handles salt-laden winds); wind-tolerant; moderately clay-tolerant with good drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low informal hedge: plant 0.8–1 m apart for a continuous low screen within 2–3 years; feature\/specimen spacing: allow 1–1.5 m clearance on all sides; mass or border planting: 0.6–0.8 m apart for dense low coverage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e No confirmed systemic toxicity recorded for dogs or cats; however, as with all Melaleuca species, the essential-oil-rich foliage and flowers may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed in quantity — discourage chewing and keep curious pets from grazing on fresh pruning material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun preferred for best claret foliage colour intensity and maximum flowering; tolerates part shade but new growth colour and flower density will reduce noticeably in shadier positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a wide range of soils including sandy loams, light clay and moderately heavy clay; requires reasonable drainage — avoid prolonged waterlogging; thrives in Adelaide's variable red-brown earths and coastal sandy profiles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 12–18 months): water every 2–3 days for the first 6 weeks, reducing to twice weekly through the first summer and once weekly through cooler months until roots are well established. Established: summer — deep water once every 10–14 days during heatwaves and prolonged dry spells; winter — rainfall generally sufficient; supplemental watering rarely needed except during extended dry winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low; tip-prune lightly after flowering (late summer\/autumn) to maintain shape and encourage vigorous coloured new growth flushes; remove any deadwood; no heavy pruning required; responds well to light shaping if used as a low hedge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40+ years in suitable conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent performer across Adelaide's Mediterranean climate zones — well suited to metropolitan coastal and suburban gardens, the northern plains, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, and sheltered Adelaide Hills positions (to approx. 400 m elevation); also performs in Murray Mallee and Riverland gardens with supplemental watering during establishment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acid to neutral preferred (pH 5.5–7.0); tolerates mildly alkaline soils (to pH 7.5) common in Adelaide metropolitan areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant in a row at 0.8–1 m spacings along a boundary fence, path or garden edge for a fast, colourful, wildlife-friendly low hedge that delivers both summer snow-white flowers and vibrant claret new growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse as a bold standalone specimen in a native garden bed or lawn setting where the papery bark, coloured new growth and midsummer flower display can be appreciated from multiple angles year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombine with Callistemon 'Little John', Westringia varieties, and Lomandra 'Tanika' for a low-water Australian native garden palette that provides layered texture, colour contrast and continuous wildlife habitat in suburban Adelaide gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want a plant that earns its place in the garden every single month of the year, 'Claret Tops' delivers in spades — blazing burgundy new growth through spring and summer, a breathtaking white-flower snowstorm in midsummer, tactile papery bark for winter interest, and the joyful chaos of honeyeaters and native bees working the canopy on warm afternoons. It is tough enough for Adelaide's dry summers, adaptable enough for coastal salt or heavy clay, and well-behaved enough to fit into modern, low-maintenance landscapes. This is the native that earns compliments from every visitor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"200mm Pot","offer_id":49257525412092,"sku":"MELA-LINA-CLAR-TOPS-200MMPOT","price":22.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/melaleuca-linariifolia-claret-tops-paperbark-snow-in-summer-200mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1784865662","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/melaleuca-linariifolia-claret-tops","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}