Callistemon sp.
Family: Myrtaceae
Bottlebrush
Origin: Australia
Withstands extended waterlogging and limited dry periods. Very showy. The flower spikes of bottlebrushes form in spring and summer and are made up of a number of individual flowers. The pollen of the flower forms on the tip of a long colored stalk called a filament. It is these filaments which give the flower spike its color and distinctive ‘bottlebrush’ shape. The filaments are usually yellow or red, sometimes the pollen also adds a bright yellow flush to the flower spikes. Each flower produces a small woody fruit containing hundreds of tiny seeds. These fruits form in clusters along the stem, and are usually held on the plant for many years. The seeds are usually not released from the fruits for several years, but in some species the fruits open after about a year. Fire also stimulates the opening of the fruits in some bottlebrushes. The new leaves of many bottlebrushes are very ornamental. The leaves are often colored and, in some species, they are covered with fine, soft hairs. Bottlebrushes make excellent garden plants. The flowers can be spectacular and are irresistible to nectar-feeding birds and insects. Most species are frost tolerant. They grow well in a wide variety of soils, except those which are highly alkaline. Plants grown in full sun produce the best flowers. Plants can be lightly pruned after flowering to keep them in shape. A low-phosphorous fertiliser should be applied in spring and autumn. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Many cultivars have been selected from natural variants and hybrids between species. Some of these are very good garden plants. Other species: Callistemon brachyandrus, Prickly Bottlebrush – the tips of the small red flower-spikes are covered in yellow pollen. Callistemon formosus, Kingaroy Bottlebrush -lemon-colored flower . Callistemon salignus, Willow Bottlebrush – the flower-spikes are generally white or greenish but pink, red and mauve forms can be found. Callistemon subulatus- this compact shrub grows from 1 to 9Ft tall . Callistemon subulatus is a freely flowering plant which produces red flower spikes over summer.
