Callistemon Species, Bottlebrush Tree, Stiff Bottlebrush

On Jan 19, 2017, yatyas from Boerne, TX wrote:

Had a beautiful Bottlebrush Tree planted in the sunniest location in our yard about 3 months ago (November) by a local nursery. Had a few blooms on it (about 9ft tall, 2 1/2 inches in diameter) when it was planted. Within a couple of weeks it was covered in beautiful blooms. Was warned by the nursery to wrap the tree trunk to protect it from possible cold weather exposure over the winter. Wrapped it in early December before temperatures got below 40 degrees F. While in El Paso visiting family from 24 Dec through Jan 10, tree was exposed to 19 degree weather. Came home and all the leaves are no longer a dark green, but faded and starting to dry and fall off, no blooms at all. I am hoping the couple of days of cold weather exposure has not killed the tree. I should have done more res... read moreearch before purchasing this particular variety for the northwest San Antonio, Texas area. It is a beautiful tree and would have been a great addition to the yard. Does anyone know if after having lost its leaves, it still has a chance of coming back?

On May 10, 2015, opal92nwf from Niceville, FL wrote:

In zone 8b along the Northern Gulf Coast, bottlebrush will do well, but apparently only an upright (non weeping) red variety can tolerate the cold this far north. The one I have in my yard is on the northern side of the house and has tolerated temps in the upper teens with only some leaf burning and drop. During these same winters, some other bottlebrush in the area seemingly of the same variety (non-weeping red) burned and were mostly killed. Interestingly, those that suffered worse weren't really in that much different of a location than mine. The only conclusions I have drawn is that maybe there is variation within this species or they could have been of a less cold hardy variety. Just in case though, I would advise trying to find a somewhat protected location for them in zone 8b.
... read more
In all though, especially when fully mature, they are dependable, and one of the few plants that give a real tropical look this far north. In addition, their drought tolerance is a big plus, especially if you live in sandy soil that dries out quickly.

On Jun 4, 2014, donnacreation from Sumter, SC wrote:

Although this plant is marketed in the SC midlands as cold hardy to 10f, it's really only cold hardy to the upper teens. The only BB cold hardy to 10f is Woodlanders Red, a bushy BB which will never grow tall.

On Jun 4, 2014, donnacreation from Sumter, SC wrote:

Although this plant is marketed in the SC midlands as cold hardy to 10f, it's really only cold hardy to the upper teens. The only BB cold hardy to 10f is Woodlanders Red, a bushy BB which will never grow tall.

On Feb 1, 2013, djvdfl from DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL wrote:

I have about 12 Bottle Brush planted on my property, beginning approx 8 yrs ago. I love this tree, and mine here in the NW part of Florida bloom at least 3 times a year and sometimes 4 times. Mine are about 18' - 20' tall, and about 25' - 30' wide. I contribute its size to "bottom up pruning". This makes a beautiful canopy type of landscaping and doesn't block our views of the property or lake. I never water my trees and they are growing in "tough soil" and on a slight hill side. Once established, my bottle brush (s) require very little care except to prune any low lying branches sprouting out from the bottom. They are pruned up to about 8 - 9 feet. I began pruning when my trees were about eight feet tall and well filled out to begin with. I also planted them in groups of 2 or 3 which gav... read moree me several main "stems" to work from. Put several groups in for a statement as they are beautiful, evergreen, attracts lots of humming birds, butterflies and birds love to nest in their branches.

On May 8, 2011, beachgardner from Bolivia, NC wrote:

I really was not sure what the plant was,,,we just moved into this house, so I have inheirited a new yard that had been sadly neglected..I love this plant...some advice as to when and if to prune would be helpful...I cut it back about 4 weeks ago to shape it up, not knowing it was a blooming plant and now it is full of flowers....

On Apr 16, 2010, SusanG13 from Pooler, GA wrote:

I bought my BB tree from a local nursury about three years ago. It has done very well and is a beautiful tree. It was about five foot tall and has grown about three feet.

On Jun 24, 2009, will335 from San Antonio, TX wrote:

This is a great looking shrub, it has bloomed twice this year. This spring it was covered with red bottlebrushes. Mine has been in the ground for 1 year and spent 1 year in a pot. It is already 6 feet tall and is quite drought tolerant, loves the south Texas heat.

On Jun 9, 2007, Opoetree from Oak View, CA wrote:

Australian plants seem to do very well in Ventura County, California. We have these bottle brush trees and shrubs, as well as eucalyptus trees of many varieties. Our bottle brush just turned up growing -- probably seeds came floating down through our barranca and the plant just sprouted on its own. Very nice, like the red blooms.

On Nov 25, 2006, Kylie2x from Millsap, TX wrote:

This has been a wonderful shrub.It has bloomed twice this yr and put on good growth.. I'll be keeping it inside for the winter..

On Jul 17, 2006, mariavonw from San Francisco, CA wrote:

quite common to see in San Francisco...very beautiful

On Jun 9, 2002, AustinBarbie from Harker Heights, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:

My Callistemon is growing rapidly and is beautiful. To 5 meters (15 feet), it has light green foliage and bronze new growth. Red flowers in spring. Hardy, will adapt to most soils.
Good points: flowers, hardy, long-lived, good in damp soils
Downside: dislikes extreme heat and extreme cold.
Please note that this is an Australian native, and as such will probably not do at all well in areas that freeze.
This large bottlebrush is widely cultivated. Plants produce bright red flower spikes which are very rich in nectar and attract many birds. Plants grow in a variety of soils, but can be frost tender, especially when young. Weeping Bottlebrush grows 5 to 7 m tall.