This may challenge you-

This may challenge you, but I hope not. I have the reputation of GC riding on getting this one correct..:gnthb:
A friend has this bush in his garden which no one seems to able to ID it.
Even the local experts and nurseries dont really know.
I have posted loads of pictures for you.

It has been suggested it is [FONT=arial,sans-serif]Melaleuca alternifolia[/FONT] (tea tree) and after searching I have to agree the leaves look correct but the flower is multipetal where the pictures I can find are only 5 leafed.

 

Could be a leptospermum. Which is what I know as a tea tree.

The seed capsules look right.
The flowers look like doubles.

 

http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=2519

 

Evening Robert

I would say no to Melaleuca alternifolia as I have one blooming at the moment ....



Oh I see pete has come up with Leptospermum and I think I have to agree although I was a bit thrown by the purplish colour of the leaves in the first picture.

It's a beautiful flower but must say it looks a little too 'formally pruned' ... should be loose and droopy, that's how I see them here.

 

Wow Im impressed... Thanks P and V. Looks like you have it spot on.
I shall now advise my friend on how to give it some TLC and let it grow abit.
robert

 

Now I have some seeds. Whats the odds on germinating any?
If so... how would I do it?
robert

 

Pretty good odds on germination I would think Robert.

I've grown them from seed.

Anyway nothing ventured nothing gained and it a good time of the year now to be sowing them.

On the window sill or greenhouse to start I would say, and surface sow.

As you can guess the seedlings are very small and need to be allowed to reach a reasonable size before pricking out.

I think you may end up with single flowers though.