About

Callistemon viminalis 'Little John' is a compact, dwarf cultivar that reaches approximately 1 meter in height. It features narrow, leathery leaves that are grey-green and aromatic. This variety produces vivid red, bottlebrush-like flowers from late spring through mid-summer.

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
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Fragrance
Foliage

Care notes

Cultivation
Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with good ventilation. Outdoors, in milder areas, grow in a very sheltered position in full sun with a moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil
Pruning
Pruning group 8
Propagation
Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insect, mealy bug and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus