Melaleuca armillaris or bracelet honey myrtle is one of the most commonly planted of all the melaleucas. Back in the 1970's during the Whitlam era Australians became very conscious of their national identity. This awakening included the realisation that Australia had possibly the most diverse and interesting flora on the planet and this excitement resulted in an almost manic rush to have an instant native garden or the biggest collection of Australian plants in the country.

As a consequence Melaleuca armillaris (bracelet honey myrtle)  was soon planted in every garden and streetscape in Australia. It was the species icon of the new age. Everybody simply had to have one. It was without doubt a total over reaction but nevertheless as 1970's Australia as you can get. It was in fact to Australian gardening what Margaret Fulton was to cooking and Skyhooks was to music.

We have learnt a lot about bracelet honey myrtle in the last 40 years. Mainly how to pull them out and plant something else more fashionable.! But in reality, there are few Australian plants that are as adaptable, reliable and fast growing as this one.

Theres a few basic rules though. Firstly, always give them full sun. Melaleucas generally speaking don't like shade as they tend to go woody. Secondly, they love to be pruned hard so that can remain compact and functional.

Melaleuca armillaris can be otherwise regarded as a large shrub or small tree if intentionally neglected or trained that way.

Click on Map to Enlarge Image

Notes on Maps.

Generally, the concentrated clusters of markers represent the geographical range where this species occurs naturally. Outlying markers and geographically disassociated markers represent observations of the species in cultivation and/or recorded in herbaria etc.
 

Acknowledgment.

These maps are provided by, and are used with the permission of,  Australia’s Virtual Herbarium (AVH)