About
This compact, dense and bushy, rounded evergreen shrub, slowly reaching 2m. In summer, mature plants produce brush-like, pinkish-red flowers composed of numerous tufts of stamens. The young branches are silky and bear narrowly oval, shiny leaves, golden yellow when they first emerge and retaining this colour for many months.
About the genus
A genus of around 60 trees, shrubs and vines, most commonly grown for their showy, tufty predominantly red bottle brush-like flowers, which can also be orange, yellow or white. As they are frost tender, they are best suited as conservatory plants but can be seen outdoors in places such as the Scilly Isles or West Cornwall where frosts are extremely rare
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly, water sparingly at other times. Outdoors in mild districts, grow in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free