About
Callistemon 'Red Clusters' is an active, bushy evergreen shrub that can reach heights of up to 3 meters. Its new foliage emerges as silvery pink, eventually maturing to a mid-green shade and measuring up to 10 centimeters in length. From spring through autumn, this plant showcases elongated spikes of vibrant crimson flowers, which can grow up to 15 centimeters long. It is well-suited for use as a hedge in regions with mild climates.
About the genus
Callistemon consists of evergreen shrubs characterized by their fragrant, narrow to lanceolate leaves. These plants produce distinctive bottlebrush-like flower spikes, where the elongated, vividly colored stamens are particularly noticeable.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun; established plants are drought resistant. In colder areas grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light with good ventilation. Pot on or top dress in early spring
- Pruning
- See pruning group 8; tolerates hard pruning and may require restrictive pruning when grown under glass
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in spring, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insect, mealy bug and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus