- Botanical name: Callistemon citrinus 'Splendens'
- Common name: Bottle brush
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
The bottle brush plant, Callistemon citrinus, bears dramatic crimson-red flower spikes, in contrast with dark green, aromatic foliage, in spring and summer. New foliage has a pink-red flush, but darkens with age. Native to Australia, Callistemon citrinus thrives in warm, sheltered conditions, and is suceptible to frost damage.
Holder of the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM), Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ is one of the most reliable bottle brush plants to grow outdoors. The dense cylindrical spikes of crimson flowers are carried on the ends of the willowy branches in summer. Even without flowers its narrow evergreen leaves provide plenty of interest and release a lemon scent if gently bruised.
For best results, and the greatest flowering potential, grow Callistemon citrinus ‘Splendens’ in front of a sunny wall or in a container which you can bring indoors in autumn. Plant beside a sheltered sunny wall for the best flower displays. To propagate, take cuttings in spring.
How to grow Callistemon 'Splendens'
-
Plant size
1.5m height
1.5m spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
- Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do Take cuttings in March |
A
Do Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Callistemon 'Splendens' and wildlife
Callistemon 'Splendens' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Callistemon 'Splendens' poisonous?
Callistemon 'Splendens' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Callistemon 'Splendens'
