About
Callistemon speciosus is a sizable shrub or small tree characterized by robust, reddish-brown branches that are thickly covered with aromatic, rigid, leathery leaves that are thin and elliptical, tapering to a point. The flowers resemble a bottlebrush, displaying a vivid crimson hue complemented by golden anthers.
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
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens
- Native to
- Australia
- Fragrance
- Foliage
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a warm sheltered position in full sun in a moist but well-drained neutral to acidic soil. Protect plants thoroughly from severe cold weather in winter and waterlogged conditions
- Pruning
- Tip prune young plants to encourage bushy growth. Established and mature plants should be pruned carefully and gradually in stages over two or three summers, cutting back older wood to younger, outward-facing shoots immediately after flowering. Pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or from semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus