Callistemon salignus

RHS Plant Profile
pink tips
pink tips John Fielding

Other common names

white bottlebrush, willow bottlebrush

Award of Garden Merit
Trees Shrubs

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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

Pruning group 8

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus