About

Callistemon viridiflorus is a resilient bottlebrush featuring a compact, arching growth form. Its leaves are sharply pointed, and it produces yellow-green blooms from mid- to late summer. The woody seed capsules can remain on the plant for several years.

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, East-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants
Native to
Tasmania

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in full sun in a moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil
Pruning
Pruning group 8
Propagation
Propagate by seed, surface sown onto moist compost in spring, or 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