Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Trees
Exotic (Australian) | Easy Care | Large shrub / small tree
The bottlebrush produces bright crimson, cylindrical flower spikes that look just like old-fashioned bottle brushes. The 'Endeavour' cultivar is one of the best: compact, upright and covered in big, brilliant red flower spikes in spring and autumn, with spot flowering through summer. It is a magnet for sunbirds, bees and butterflies.
It handles coastal conditions, wind, salt air, poor soil and drought well, which is why it has become a staple of coastal gardens in South Africa. The leaves release a faint lemon scent when bruised. One thing to be aware of: some Callistemon species are classified as invasive in parts of South Africa. Check your local regulations, particularly if you are near sensitive fynbos areas.
2 to 3 m tall and about 1.5 to 2 m wide. Compact and upright.
Fast.
Feature shrub, informal hedge, screen, wildlife garden, container. Excellent for attracting sunbirds.
Full sun for the best flowering. Tolerates light shade.
Adapts to almost any soil, including sandy, clay and loamy, as long as drainage is reasonable. Prefers acid to neutral soils. Add compost at planting.
Prefers moist soil but tolerates dry spells well once established. Water regularly while settling in.
Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring. Avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers, which can cause problems for Australian natives.
Prune behind the spent flower heads after each flush to encourage dense growth and more flowers. Can be cut back hard if it gets leggy or untidy; it resprouts readily.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of trees and large shrubs. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right tree for your spot.
