Callistemon citrinus 'Firebrand'

RHS Plant Profile

crimson bottlebrush 'Firebrand'

Synonyms

Callistemon citrinus 'Austraflora Firebrand'

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub to 1m, with arching branches, dark green leaves to 10cm long, and silvery pink young shoots. In spring and summer it produces crimson, bottlebrush-like flower spikes to 15cm long

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Callistemon are evergreen shrubs with aromatic, linear to lance-shaped leaves and bottlebrush-like spikes of flowers in which the long colourful stamens are prominent
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun; established plants are drought resistant. In colder areas grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light with good ventilation. Pot on or top dress in early spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 8; tolerates hard pruning and may require restrictive pruning when grown under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insect, mealy bug and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus