Overview
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Callistemon, part of the Myrtaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Callistemon 'Red Rocket' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, mediterranean climate plants, low maintenance, banks and slopes, conservatory and greenhouse and flower borders and beds.
About
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' is a bushy evergreen shrub cultivar within the Callistemon genus, known for its fragrant, narrow to lanceolate leaves and distinctive bottlebrush-like flower spikes. This cultivar thrives in full sun with a sheltered aspect, preferring fertile, moist but well-drained loam or sandy soils with acid to neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H3, it is suitable for coastal and cottage gardens, as well as conservatories and greenhouses. 'Red Rocket' is particularly valued for its vibrant spring and summer floral display, making it ideal for flower borders, banks, and informal Mediterranean-style plantings.
About the genus
Callistemon is a genus of shrubs in the family Myrtaceae, first described as a genus in 1814. The entire genus is endemic to Australia but widely cultivated in many other regions and naturalised in scattered locations.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Callistemon
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Conservatory and greenhouse, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Callistemon 'Red Rocket'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Scale insect, Mealy bug, Glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Callistemon 'Red Rocket'?
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Callistemon 'Red Rocket' need?
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' grows best in loam and sand soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Callistemon 'Red Rocket' hardy in the UK?
Callistemon 'Red Rocket' has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Callistemon 'Red Rocket'?
Seed sown in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
More in the Callistemon genus
- Callistemon formosuscliff bottlebrush
- Callistemon sieberi 'Widdicombe Gem'
- Callistemon teretifolius
- Callistemon viminalis 'Hannah Ray'
- Callistemon viminalis 'Little John'bottlebrush 'Little John'
- Callistemon viminalis 'Malawi Giant'bottlebrush 'Malawi Giant'
- Callistemon viridisgreen bottlebrush