Crimson Bottlebrush, Red Bottlebrush, Lemon Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.

Callistemon citrinus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 4.5

Where it is found

Swamps and along the sides of rocky streams.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The leaves are a tea substitute and have a delightfully refreshing flavour.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A tan dye is obtained from the flowers, it does not require a mordant, and is green when mordanted. Other members of this genus can also be used. A cinnamon dye is obtained from the leaves. Other members of this genus can also be used. Wood - hard, heavy, tough, close grained, but too small for economic use. Used for tool handles etc. It is also used for fuel.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Espalier, Pollard, Screen, Standard, Specimen. Succeeds in any soil, tolerating both water-logging and drought. Requires a fertile well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun. Succeeds in a hot position in dry soils. Accepts very wet conditions in Australian gardens. Prefers an acid soil, not doing very well on chalk. This species requires cold greenhouse treatment in most of Britain but it is possibly hardy in the milder areas of the country although even there it is best grown against a wall. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens. Another report says that it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c in Britain and grows well in warm positions in southern gardens. Small-leaves forms of the plant are hardier than the type and can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c. The cultivar 'Splendens' is said to be particularly good in Britain and is possibly more hardy than the type. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, even old plants will regenerate if pruned back hard into the old wood. The species C. linearis, C. rigidus and C. subulatus are all closely allied to this species and are somewhat hardier. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. The leaves vary considerably in shape and are lemon scented. The leaves, when pressed, emit a refreshing scent of lemon. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Attracts birds, Not North American native, Attracts butterflies, Blooms are very showy.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in February in a shaded part of the greenhouse. Cover with paper and stand the pots in a few centimetres of water until germination takes place. Remove from the water tray as soon as the seed germinates. Seedlings are prone to damp off and must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood,7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor results.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Bog Garden; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. lanceolatus.