Callistemon salignus
pink tips
A small half-hardy evergreen tree or shrub to a height of up to 4m, with narrow dark green leaves and reddish new growth. Creamy white 'bottlebrush'-shaped flowers appear from late spring to midsummer. The foliage is lemon scented and the bark a papery white
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Cream | Red | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Cream | Green | |
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter | White | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a frost-free, sheltered position in full sun with a moist but well-drained soil. Ideal for an unheated, but frost-free conservatory or greenhouse. If planting in a container, use a well-drained peat-free mix with 20% by volume of horticultural grit added
Propagation
Propagate by seed or from semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Sub-tropical
- Low Maintenance
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insect, mealy bug and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.