Bottlebrush Plant Seeds

Bottlebrush plants (Callistemon spp.) get their name from the spikes of flowers that bloom at the ends of the stems, bearing a strong resemblance to a bottle brush. Grow them as shrubs or small trees that grow up to 15 feet. Most bottlebrush varieties bloom over a long summer season
Bottlebrush plants need a very mild climate. If you live in an area cooler than USDA plant hardiness zones 8b through 11, grow bottlebrush in pots that you can move to a protected area for winter. Use a rich, peaty potting soil with a few handfuls of sand added to improve the drainage. If pruned hard every year, the plants will grow in pots as small as 6 to 8 inches in diameter. If you plan to let the shrub grow, you will need a large tub.

Bottlebrushes make excellent garden plants. Plants are all woody shrubs which range from dwarf plants to tall shrubs 10-12 feet tall. The flowers can be spectacular and are irresistible to nectar-feeding birds and insects.
Plants can be lightly pruned after flowering to keep them in shape. A low-phosphorous fertiliser should be applied in spring and autumn. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.

Germinating Bottlebrush Seeds

Callistemon seeds are tiny! In fact they look almost like dust. But they generally are fairly easy to germinate.
We have found that sowing seeds on surface of good seed starting mix that been pre-wetted, then covering container with plastic ( we prefer a plastic dome ), and placing container in a spot that will receive bright light, but not direct sunlight works best.
Keep seed starting mix moist until seeds germinate by misting, then remove plastic after you seed seeds germinating.

Image: Peter A. Mansfeld [CC BY 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

JB153 Crimson Bottlebrush ( Callistemon citrinus )

Crimson bottlebrush is a fabulous specimen tree or shrub for a bright, sunny area. It may be used for a tropical effect in a pool side planting, or surrounded by white rock, against a light colored wall. Wherever it is placed, it should be visible either from the street or from the house so that it can be properly admired.
This is an extremely easy plant to grow. It has few pests, requires little maintenance and is drought tolerant once established. Best of all, the bright red, distinctive flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds!
The leaves are narrow, lance shaped, and leathery, with a distinctly citrus aroma. The bright red fuzzy looking flowers are composed mostly of stamens. These are arranged radially around the stem tips in plump clusters like the bristles on one of those brushes used to clean the inside of bottles.
Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Hardy for zones 8-11. Can be grown in containers in cooler zones.

Image:Geoff Fox, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

LET819 Captain Cook ( Callistemon viminalis )

An exotic looking evergreen with brush-like scarlet blooms that create an irresistible display in late spring, and again in late summer and autumn. This half hardy bottlebrush makes a striking feature grown against a sheltered, sunny wall or in a large patio container. Once established, this plant requires little maintenance.
'Captain Cook' bears brilliant scarlet flower spikes. This evergreen shrub or small tree gets its species name citrinus from the lemony smelling oil glands present in the olive green, lance-shaped leaves. Spring to summer flowers are terminal, axillary, and crimson colored.
Plant in neutral to acid, moderately fertile soil in full sun. This plant is tough and makes and excellent hedge. Regular prunning is not necessary. If you do prune, immediately after flowering is best. Does very well in containers.
Zone 8-11 outside, grow in containers and bring inside for cooler zones.