Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush) is an evergreen shrub with arching branches clothed with lance-shaped leaves that emerge coppery before maturing to gray-green. The leaves release a lemony scent when bruised. Bright crimson bottlebrush-like flower spikes, 4 in. long (10 cm) bloom intermittently throughout the year in frost free areas. The flowers are red and arranged in spikes on the ends of branches that continue to grow after flowering and sometimes also in the upper leaf axils.
The spikes are up to 45–70 mm (2–3 in) in diameter and 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long with up to 80 individual flowers. The petals are 3.9–5.8 mm (0.15–0.23 in) long and fall off as the flower ages. There are 30 to 45 stamens in each flower, with their "stalks" (the filaments) red and "tips" (the anthers) purple. The blooms are a copious source of nectar for birds and hummingbirds. They give way to woody seed capsules that remain closed on the branches for years.
How to Grow and Care
Temperature: As a native of Australia, this plant likes to be kept warm. In mild climates, it can live all year round, though if you live in an environment where winters are cold, then you will need to grow the bottlebrush tree in a container so that it can be moved inside during chilly months.
Light: The bottlebrush tree thrives in full sun and needs plenty of direct sunlight to produce the striking brush-like flowers. If you are planting this tree directly into the ground in your garden, ensure it is in an area that will get at least six hours of sun a day. Watch out for neighboring plants which might grow bigger than the bottlebrush tree, resulting in it being put in the shade by the bigger plant.
For encroaching plants, cut them back to enable the bottlebrush tree to have full access to daylight, or dig up your bottlebrush tree and replant it in a more suitable location. Bottlebrush trees in containers will need to be positioned in a sunny spot and can be moved around if necessary to give them the best chance of good health and flower production.
Soil: Generally unfussy as to soil, they tolerate poor sandy conditions, but do not thrive in shallow, chalk soils unless plenty of organic matter is dug in. They will tolerate drought as long as it is not too prolonged. Once established they do not need special attention and are generally problem-free.
Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to keep them under control, cutting just behind the spent flowerhead. Most callistemons do not take kindly to being hard-pruned, although C. citrinus ‘Splendens’ can be cut more severely, and this is best attempted immediately after flowering.
The spikes are up to 45–70 mm (2–3 in) in diameter and 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long with up to 80 individual flowers. The petals are 3.9–5.8 mm (0.15–0.23 in) long and fall off as the flower ages. There are 30 to 45 stamens in each flower, with their "stalks" (the filaments) red and "tips" (the anthers) purple. The blooms are a copious source of nectar for birds and hummingbirds. They give way to woody seed capsules that remain closed on the branches for years.
- Scientific name: Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.Cours.
- Common Names: Crimson bottlebrush,Scarlet Bottlebrush, Lemon Bottlebrush, Red Bottlebrush
- Synonyms: Callistemon lanceolatus, Metrosideros citrina, Callistemon lanceolatus
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Subfamily: Myrtoideae
- Tribe: Melaleuceae
- Genus: Callistemon
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| credit photo: inlandvalleygardenplanner.org |
How to Grow and Care
Temperature: As a native of Australia, this plant likes to be kept warm. In mild climates, it can live all year round, though if you live in an environment where winters are cold, then you will need to grow the bottlebrush tree in a container so that it can be moved inside during chilly months.
Light: The bottlebrush tree thrives in full sun and needs plenty of direct sunlight to produce the striking brush-like flowers. If you are planting this tree directly into the ground in your garden, ensure it is in an area that will get at least six hours of sun a day. Watch out for neighboring plants which might grow bigger than the bottlebrush tree, resulting in it being put in the shade by the bigger plant.
For encroaching plants, cut them back to enable the bottlebrush tree to have full access to daylight, or dig up your bottlebrush tree and replant it in a more suitable location. Bottlebrush trees in containers will need to be positioned in a sunny spot and can be moved around if necessary to give them the best chance of good health and flower production.
Soil: Generally unfussy as to soil, they tolerate poor sandy conditions, but do not thrive in shallow, chalk soils unless plenty of organic matter is dug in. They will tolerate drought as long as it is not too prolonged. Once established they do not need special attention and are generally problem-free.
Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to keep them under control, cutting just behind the spent flowerhead. Most callistemons do not take kindly to being hard-pruned, although C. citrinus ‘Splendens’ can be cut more severely, and this is best attempted immediately after flowering.
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| photo credit: flickr.com |
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