Space Saver™ Honey Myrtle

Space Saver Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris 'Space Saver') is a fast growing native shrub to small tree with an upright, slim habit, reaching about 3m tall but only 70cm wide. Slender, rosemary like leaves are bushy right to the ground, and white, bottlebrush like flower cylinders appear from spring to summer. It is a narrow screen for boundaries where a normal tree would take too much room.

Why you'll love it

• Slim by design. It is much shorter and thinner than the species form, so it fits narrow side passages and tight boundaries.
• Bushy to the ground. Dense foliage from the base keeps screens and windbreaks solid at every height.
• Coastal and exposed sites. It copes with sea spray, wind and exposed positions, so it suits coastal and cooler exposed gardens.
• Dry or wet soil. It grows in dry and wet soils, even those that flood.
• Frost and drought tolerant. Once established it tolerates frost and dry spells, needs very little pruning, and its flowers feed wildlife.

Where it works best

Narrow privacy screens. Plant 60cm apart in a single row. The upright plants close into a slim, green wall up to 3m high, ideal where the house sits right on the boundary.

Windbreaks and coastal planting. Its bushy base shelters gardens from wind and sea spray, and the roots cope with wet or dry ground.

Wildlife hedges and feature plantings. Use it as a tall native hedge, or as a slender feature shrub or small tree in a native garden.

Growing Space Saver Honey Myrtle in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun encourages flowering. The wild parent grows at coastal and river mouth sites in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, and Space Saver suits coastal and cooler exposed gardens, as well as warm temperate and subtropical ones. It tolerates frost and moderate drought once established.

Soil. It tolerates most soil types, including wet soils and clay, and a range of planting conditions.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well while it establishes. Once settled it copes with moderate dry spells.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to encourage a compact habit. It needs very little pruning otherwise.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Space Saver Honey Myrtle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in 300mm pots singly. Tubes are the value choice for a long screen, while the 300mm plants arrive taller and screen sooner. Plant out soon after delivery and water well.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the melaleuca range
• Tall and narrow screening plants
• Plants for windbreaks
• Plants for windy conditions

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

About 60cm apart in a single row for a slim screen. At that spacing the 70cm wide plants meet into a solid green wall.

Will it grow near the coast?

Yes. The species grows naturally at coastal and river mouth sites, and Space Saver is a good choice for wind and sea spray.

When should I prune it?

After flowering, to encourage compact growth. It needs very little pruning otherwise.