AusBonsai

Hi again

still trying to master sending the photos...lets hope this is the lucky attempt....Loretta

That worked

Looking at the stem( trunk ) it is not a Claret tops. Claret tops is a hybrid from Melaleuca linarifolia, which is one of the paperbarks.

Cheers Pup

Looks like it could be Claret Tops. Can we have some closer photos of the foliage and bark? Claret tops should be a bit more red but the foliage and bark seem right as far as i can tell from this photo.

Joel

they look like claret tops to me

Thanks guys...Hopefully posting the only other photos I have of them as I cut them right back today. They were very pinky red on top before they were dug up. I have never done natives before but I know they don't always like being transplanted.
Hope these photos are better...only seem to be able to send one photo at a time, unable to hi-light two to send.
cheers Loretta

This photograph is of a Melaleuca linarifolia x Claret tops please note the stem ( trunk ).

Cheers Pup

thanks pup, appreciate that!!

Loretta, your trees look like the ones i have purchased as Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'. Im not saying they definitely are and i dont want to disagree with pup (seriously. He knows his stuff). But if yours arent then mine are not either, which is highly possible given nurseries standards.

Pup, has that trunk been torched like some of your others? Is it possible that bark like that only develops with age? How old is yours? Mine are only a couple of years old.

Joel

Pup,
Is it possible we have situation where growers are marketing multiple varieties as Claret tops.
As you see by the tree ( trunks) I purchased about 10 weeks ago from a local nursery's half priced bench, had a Claret Tops label attached and looks the same as others I have in my garden.
PS. thanks for the tip of "put mels under the bench when they die, cause they'll bud back" This ones foliage died within a few days of getting it home. I put it aside and kept watering and it's budding up and down every trunk.

Thanks for the interest and comments, The four I have were dehydrating and looking bad so I gave them a good cut back which I should have done straight away but I wanted to get the photos. Anyway it's good to know they are pretty hardy as I know most natives don't like being transplanted. cheers Loretta

Joel, this tree has not recieved the touch up with the blow torch. As with a lot of hybrids if they sell well they do market them. Not always true to form as has happened with a lot of bottlebrushes.

The tree is about 6 years old so it is not what you would call old. It has always had the bark it has even when only a couple of years old. That is why I was sure.

As Linarifolia is one of the true paperbarks, that the stems on Lorettas trees were not true to what I have seen of them.

They could be marketing another type though, as they are attractive with the red foliage.

Cheers Pup

so have we worked this one out??

or are we still discussing the hybrids and variations?

jamie

It seems as though there are different forms being sold as Claret Tops. I dont know if Pup has the true cultivar or we do, but the nurseries are not being consistent. Im confident both would be accepted as Claret Tops in a show though.

Joel.

Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops' is originaly known as M. linariifolia Purpurea. i would suggest to go to your local native nursery. They definatly should know which variety it is.

Unfortunately their are still some nurseries that put the wrong labels on their stock. Go to an accredited garden center and nursery. They are reconisable by the following logo's.

Good luck.


Chris