Callistemon or Bottlebrush Trees and Shrubs

If you live in warm and humid climate with lots of sun the Callistemon or Bottlebush Tree is a wonderful small evergreen tree (sometimes shrub) to introduce to your landscape.  This Aussie native tree has been spread around the world and is gaining in popularity wherever they thrive as they make a great ornamental tree. 

Bottle Brush Tree Flower - Photo: Jerilee Wei

If you were to crush their leaves in your hands you would find a delightful perfume just waiting for your discovery.  Your butterfly and insect friends love the bright red, purple and pink flowers.  Then there is the sheer beauty of the flowers and the evergreen factor that make this ornamental a must for many gardens.

 Tips For Growing Bottlebrush Trees and Bottle Brush Shrubs

Bark of the Callistemon or Bottlebrush Tree - Photo: Jerilee Wei

Bottlebrush trees and shrubs do not tolerate a lot of drought, so water them liberally in very long stretches of drought like weather.

Plant in full sun in a well-drained area (although they need water in drought, they do not like wet feet).

Bottlebrush trees are prone to invasions of nemotodes and once they have them they are pretty much doomed. 

Bottle brush trees are easily grown from seeds.  Since they don’t release their seeds except every two to three years and they are mostly grown from seeds, you’ll need to give the seeds a little help. Simply keep them in a brown paper bag in a very warm place to force them to release the seeds.  Collect them earlier in the year and plant them in the spring after all danger of any frost is gone.

Prune gently just before the flowers if pruning is necessary, always in the fall.

Fun Bottle Brush Tree Fact!

The leaves of the bottle brush trees and shrubs make a nice aromatic tea and once you have established your Callistemon this is one added benefit of this ornamental tree.

Bottlebrush tree in full bloom - Photo: Jerilee Wei

 If You’d Like To Know More!