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CALLISTEMON
Commonly known as Crimson bottlebrush, Lemon bottlebrush
The bottlebrush flowers can be red, purple, pink, white, green or yellow and well grown specimens can be hard-pruned. In some species the hard seed capsules are released by fire.
Genus of 30 species or more of evergreen tress and shrubs from Australia from moist, open sites and in woodland.
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EvergreenLance-shaped, dark green leaves to 10cm (4in) long with prominent oil glands.
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HeightUsually to 3m (10ft)
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SpreadUsually to 3m (10ft)
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Tall ShrubVariable shrub, often with arching branches. Produces flowers profusely in spikes 5-15cm (2-6in) long.
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winterHardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
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Full sunSheltered position.
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- Planting Combinations
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowFinal height dependant on protection. May need restrictive pruning under glass.Pests & DiseasesRed spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects under glass.Place of originAustralia (New South Wales, Victoria). Introduced into UK by Joseph Banks in 1788,Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Garden Location/ConditionsGreenhouse / conservatoryNot the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Scented PlantsScented foliageLeaves release attractive lemon scent when crushed.
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soilNeutral to acid soil
usually to 3m (10ft)
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usually to 3m (10ft) |

CALLISTEMON citrinus 'Little John'

ACACIA baileyana 'Purpurea'

AGAPANTHUS 'Navy Blue'

ARBUTUS unedo 'Compacta'
Buy Varieties of CALLISTEMON

CALLISTEMON citrinus 'Little John'
miniature habit, deep red flowers

CALLISTEMON citrinus 'Perth Pink'
clear pink flowers

CALLISTEMON citrinus 'Red Cluster'
compact growing with deep scarlet flowers


CALLISTEMON citrinus 'Splendens'
the most vivid scarlet flowers

CALLISTEMON pallidus
cream coloured flowers and narrow leaves

CALLISTEMON rigidus
hardy red bottlebrush which thrives in poor soils in full sun


CALLISTEMON salignus
one of the hardiest of the bottlebrushes with narrow willow-like leaves and pale yellow flowers

CALLISTEMON sieberi
(pityoides) - This is the hardiest species with narrow leaves and pale yellow flowers in short spikes

CALLISTEMON viminalis
attractive weeping habit with bright red flowers. Had proved hardy at Burncoose

CALLISTEMON viridiflorus 'Violaceus'
narrow leaves and purplish red bottlebrush flowers
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