Login     Register (Free!)   

bar

A Floridata Plant Profile #145 Callistemon citrinus
Common Names: lemon bottlebrush, crimson bottlebrush
Family: Myrtaceae (myrtle Family)
Plant1 from Floridata: click for Plant Profile Get link to this Profile or click for Datasheet
Wallpaper Gallery (2 images)
tree  Shrub  Attracts Hummingbirds Can be Grown in Containers Has evergreen foliage Flowers

lemon bottlebrush flowers
This young lemon bottlebrush will slowly grow to an ultimate height of about 12 feet.
lemon bottlebrush flowers
A lemon bottlebrush tree blooms just outside Jack's office window creating a happy hummingbird hangout that buzzes with activity whenever the bottlebrushes appear.
Description
Lemon bottlebrush is a small tree or large shrub that gets 6-12 ft (2-4 m) tall and 6-9 ft (2-3 m) wide. The leaves are narrow, lance shaped, and leathery, with a distinctly citrus aroma (thus the common name). The bright red fuzzy looking flowers are composed mostly of stamens. Thses 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. Lemon bottlebrush blooms in early spring when it covers itself in the bright red blossoms and a few flower clusters are also produced sporadically throughout the summer. The bark is somewhat rough and light brown. Other less hardy forms of bottlebrush are available, including C. viminalis (weeping bottlebrush) and C. speciosus (showy bottlebrush). Callistemon rigidus is about equally hardy to cold with smaller flowers.

Location
Callistemon citrinus is native to to Australia.

Culture
Lemon bottlebrush likes well drained soil, preferably sandy loam, but is quite adaptable. Avoid heavy soils and soggy ground. Lemon bottlebrush can take some salt spray but do not plant it too close to the tideline. If grown in the northern part of its range, expect winter kills. Protected with mulch around roots, the plant usually comes back. It may sucker up around the base.
Light: Bottlebrush does best in full sun.
Moisture: Lemon bottlebrush thrives in average to dry soils. It is rought tolerant once established.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8B-10.
Propagation: Take cuttings from semi-ripe wood in summer. Bottlebrush can be grown with patience from seeds. Gather dried flowers and keep in them paper bags to let seeds fall; plant in spring, sowing on the soil surface).

closeup of lemon bottlebrush
A closeup of a lemon bottlebrush flower clusters shows the multitude of stamens responsible for the soft fuzzy look. Click here to download a large version (800x600) of this image.
Usage
Lemon 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.

Features
This is an extremely easy tree 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!

Steve Christman 08/16/97; updated 5/5/06, 12/29/07





logo - click for Floridata's homepage
Copyright 1996 - 2010
Floridata.com LC
Tallahassee, Florida USA





Briarpatch - Jack's video blog
Latest Entries:





 Recent Plant Profiles:



New!
Use Floridata's Local Guides to find businesses and learn of community events in your area.

Local Guides
 Local Guides
 Alabama
 Alaska
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 DC
 Delaware
 Florida
 Georgia
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Illinois
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
 Maine
 Maryland
 Massachusetts
 Michigan
 Minnesota
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
 Nebraska
 Nevada
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
 New York
 North Carolina
 North Dakota
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
 Pennsylvania
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Tennesee
 Texas
 Utah
 Vermont
 Virginia
 Washington
 West Virginia
 Wisconsin
 Wyoming