{"product_id":"evodiella-muelleri-melicope-rubra","title":"Little Evodia - Melicope rubra","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLittle Evodia - Melicope rubra\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMelicope rubra\u003c\/em\u003e is a slim rainforest tree from north Queensland that carries clusters of rose pink flowers directly on its trunk and older branches, not just at the tips. It is best known as the primary larval host of the Ulysses butterfly, so planting one in a warm garden is a deliberate act of habitat building. The glossy trifoliate leaves and open, upright frame make it a tree that fits into tight courtyard spaces where most rainforest species would be too heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Little Evodia\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers on the wood\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pink flower clusters emerge from the trunk and mature limbs, an unusual habit that puts colour at eye level.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eButterfly habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is the key food plant for Ulysses butterfly caterpillars and draws swallowtails to a garden reliably.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim frame\u003c\/strong\u003e: The canopy stays narrow and layered, so it can be planted within a few metres of a wall or path.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e: Three-part leaves with a high sheen give a lush rainforest look without dense shade underneath.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstorey adaptation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Coming from beneath rainforest canopy, it accepts filtered light that would starve a fruiting or flowering exotic.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eButterfly and wildlife gardens\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted with nectar shrubs it completes the life cycle rather than just feeding adults.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical courtyard\u003c\/strong\u003e: Its narrow footprint and trunk flowering suit small enclosed spaces in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRainforest revegetation\u003c\/strong\u003e: It slots into the mid layer of a mixed native planting on moist coastal sites.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeature beside an entry\u003c\/strong\u003e: The flowering wood is close enough to touch, which makes it a talking point at a front door.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 2.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Start of the wet season, or spring in subtropical gardens\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, moisture retentive, organically rich soil with free drainage. It dislikes both compacted clay and dry sandy ground.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water two to three times weekly through the first dry season, keeping soil damp rather than saturated. Mulch thickly with leaf litter or bark, shelter young plants from strong wind and full afternoon sun, and accept some caterpillar chewing on the leaves as a sign the plant is doing its job.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 to 6m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to fast in warm humid conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to dappled shade; young plants prefer filtered light\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rainforests of north eastern Queensland\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rose pink to red\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795290554654,"sku":"ND-0751-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45L","offer_id":59796281295134,"sku":"ND-0751-45L","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L","offer_id":59795290587422,"sku":"ND-0751-100L","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/8oLcvt1Km-62rIgaKA_8F_IcWWQvEG.jpg?v=1787312775","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/evodiella-muelleri-melicope-rubra","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}