A bird feeding on a flowering bottlebrush plant
Also known as lemon bottlebrush, red bottle brush (Callistemon citrinus) is a flowering member of the myrtle family characterized by its fluffy, bright red seed heads and broad, bushy habit. Red bottlebrush is a common specimen tree or container plant for warm climates. The plant is fairly low maintenance and requires little care to thrive. Does this Spark an idea?
Location
A native of Australia, red bottlebrush thrives in hot, arid conditions. The shrub is remarkably drought tolerant, and can go long periods with no water. Grow bottlebrush in a bright, full sun location in USDA zones 9 to 11. The plant may be suitable for USDA zone 8B if grown in an area with all day sunlight. Red bottlebrush is not considered an invasive species, and may be safely grown in Florida and California.
Culture
Plant lemon bottlebrush in a well-draining soil, ideally a sandy loam. The shrub is tolerant of a range of soil types, though it will suffer if grown in heavy soils or areas that are prone to flooding. Though the shrub is tolerant of salt spray, it will not do well in overly salty soils. The tree may die if grown in northern climates; however, it will often reseed the following spring if properly mulched around the roots.
Uses
You can leave red bottlebrush alone to grow wild, growing to a shrub of 6 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 9 feet wide, or you can prune it as a small specimen tree. The plant works well as a potted plant, adding a tropical effect to poolsides, patios and porches. Birds such as hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar of the bright red flowers, and come in droves when the shrub flowers in early spring.
Problems
Bottlebrush is largely pest and disease free, although moist soils can attract serious diseases such as root and crown-attacking fungal diseases. Prevent disease by watering sparingly and providing a location with good air circulation. Chlorosis may occur if the soil is lacking iron. Correct it by adding iron sulfate or iron chelate to the soil. Fertilize regularly to encourage strong flower and foliage color. Remove suckers from the tree truck periodically in order to maintain the tree's shape.
Tags: lemon bottlebrush, shrub tolerant, specimen tree