As Aussies, we love our bottlebrush plants, belonging to the Callistemon genus. They feed our local biodiversity, they work beautifully as hedges, and (possibly most importantly) they have a reputation for being very resilient.
But which variety is the best for your specific needs?
This article will help you answer that question by providing several of the most functional, low-fuss, and reliable cultivars.
Defining Your Requirements
All of the callistemons in this article are awesome, but they’re all different.
It’s up to you to decide which one/s fit best into your garden design. Are you looking for something large to form a wind break, cancel noise, and provide privacy? Or are you looking for a low-growing variety to define borders or allow visibility around roadsides?
What colours are you looking for? How long would you like for them to flower for? Most varieties will only flower for a few weeks in spring, while others will flower for longer. Some varieties won’t flower at all.
Check your garden’s requirements as well. What’s your soil like? How does the sun move throughout the day, and throughout the year? Are you irrigating, or not? Are you expecting any flooding or extended periods with wet feet?
Without further ado, let’s explore some of the best (but different) varieties on the market.
Better John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ1’ PBR
- Description: Newer cultivar bred from ‘Little John’.
- Foliage: Mature blue-green toned foliage; new growth shows silver tones because of soft, hairy texture.
- Flowers: Produces small red flowers from mid-spring to late spring.
- Size: Grows to a height of 60cm – 1.2m and a width of 60 – 90cm.
- Planting Density: Suggested at 3-5 plants per m², or 1.5-2 plants per linear metre.
- Uses: Suitable for specimen and contrast planting.
- Position: Thrives in full sun to part shade.
- Soil Suitability: Adapts to sandy to well-drained soils.
- Tolerance: Withstands drought and cold.
- Care: Requires watering for 8-13 weeks until established, benefits from mulching with chunky materials, and may need slow-release fertiliser in spring. Pruning every 3-4 years is suggested for a natural shape, or every 2 years for a tidy hedge look.
- Geographical Suitability: Recommended for QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, & WA.
Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR
- Description: This cultivar boasts light green new growth, offering a good contrast to the Better John™ Callistemon. It has darker green mature foliage.
- Growth: Denser and faster growing than Little John, with highly resistant traits against Myrtle Rust.
- Flowers: Red flowers bloom from September to November.
- Size: Reaches 60cm-1m in height and 60cm in width.
- Planting Density: Recommended at 3-6 plants per m² or 2-2.5 plants per linear metre.
- Uses: Ideal for specimen or contrast planting.
- Position: Thrives in full sun to part shade and suits sandy to well-drained soils.
- Tolerance: Drought and cold tolerant.
- Care: Requires watering for 8-13 weeks until established. Should be planted in a well-mulched garden with chunky mulch recommended. Slow-release fertiliser may be used in spring if necessary. Pruning every 3-4 years is advised for a natural shape, or more frequently every 2 years for a tidier hedge.
- Geographical Suitability: Suitable for QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA & WA.
Sweet Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU15’ PBR
- Description: This is a semi-compact fine-leaf Callistemon variety that produces a multitude of soft baby pink flowers during spring, adding a delicate color to gardens and landscapes.
- Size: Grows to a height and width of 90cm to 1.2m.
- Planting Density: Plant 1-3 plants per square meter or 1-2 plants per linear meter.
- Uses: Can be used for hedges, mass planting, as a feature plant, for specimen planting, and contrast planting.
- Position: Able to grow in full sun to part shade, and works well in most soil types.
- Tolerance: Has good drought and frost tolerance once established.
- Care: Requires watering for 8-13 weeks until fully established. Best planted in a well-mulched garden, with chunky mulch recommended. Pruning every 3-4 years can promote a natural shape, while pruning every 2 years can maintain a tidy hedge appearance. Pruning encourages dense, bushy growth.
- Where it Works: Suitable for NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and South QLD (additional testing may be needed for North QLD & ACT).
Candy Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU06’ PBR
- Description: A semi-compact fine leaf variety that displays an abundance of gorgeous dark pink bottle brush flowers in the spring. This Callistemon is a fantastic feature plant for any garden or landscape and requires minimal pruning to maintain its tidy form.
- Size: Reaches 1-1.2m in height and width.
- Planting Density: Plant 1-3 plants per square meter, or 1-2 plants per linear meter.
- Uses: Perfect for hedges, mass planting, as a feature plant, specimen planting, and contrast planting.
- Position: Grows well in full sun to part shade and is suited to most soil types.
- Tolerance: Demonstrates good drought and frost tolerance once established.
- Care: Water as required for 8-13 weeks until established, and plant in a well-mulched garden with chunky mulch recommended. Prune only if necessary every 3-4 years for a natural shape or every 2 years for a tidy hedge; pruning encourages dense, bushy growth.
- Geographical Suitability: Works in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and South QLD. More testing may be needed for North QLD & ACT.
Fluro Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU19’ PBR
- Description: Showcases masses of bright fluro pink bottle brush flowers in the spring, giving a vibrant and colorful display against dark green foliage. It is a semi-compact variety that is low maintenance and can remain tidy with minimal pruning.
- Size: Grows between 1m to 1.5m high and 90cm to 1.2m wide.
- Planting Density: Recommended planting density is 1-3 plants per square meter or 1-2 plants per linear meter.
- Uses: Ideal for hedging, mass planting, as a feature plant, or for contrast planting.
- Position: Thrives in full sun to part shade and suits most soil types.
- Tolerance: Demonstrates good drought and frost tolerance once established.
- Care: Water needs are moderate for the first 8-13 weeks until the plant is established, and a well-mulched garden is beneficial. Prune every 3-4 years for a natural shape or every 2 years for a tidy hedge appearance.
- Geographical Suitability: Optimal for NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and Sth QLD, with further testing suggested for Nth QLD & ACT.
Snow Burst™ Callistemon spp ‘CNU07’ PBR
- Description: A compact, fine leaf variety known for its burst of white bottle brush flowers in the spring. The dark green foliage contrasts beautifully with the flowers, attracting bees and native birds.
- Size: Reaches 80cm to 1m in height and 70-80cm in width.
- Planting Density: Suggested density is 1-3 plants per square meter or 1-2 plants per linear meter.
- Uses: Suitable for hedges, mass planting, as a feature or specimen plant, and for contrast planting.
- Position: Thrives in full sun to part shade and can adapt to most soil types.
- Tolerance: Exhibits good drought and frost tolerance once it becomes established.
- Care: Requires watering for about 8-13 weeks until established. Recommended to plant in a well-mulched garden; chunky mulch is preferred. Pruning may be done every 3-4 years for a natural shape or every 2 years for a tidy hedge, encouraging dense growth.
- Geographical Suitability: Ideal for NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and South QLD. Further testing might be needed for North QLD and ACT.
Macarthur™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LC01’ PBR
- Description: A compact Callistemon that combines the best traits of popular varieties like Little John and Captain Cook. It has a dense and tidy growth with vivid green foliage and enhances flower presentation.
- Size: Will grow to approximately 1.8m in height by 1.5m in width.
- Planting Density: It is recommended to plant 1-2 plants per square meter or 1-1.5 plants per linear meter.
- Uses: Suitable as a medium-sized shrub in landscaping.
- Position: Prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate various soil conditions.
- Tolerance: Shows good resistance to frost and drought.
- Care: It needs watering for 8-13 weeks until established and benefits from planting in chunky mulch. Slow-release fertilizer can be used in spring, and pruning after flowering can shape 1-3 times a year depending on how tidy you want the hedge/shape.
- Geographical Suitability: Can be planted in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, & WA.
Slim™ Callistemon viminalis ‘CV01’ PBR
- Unique Features: This plant offers a solution for narrow spaces where traditional bottlebrush plants might be too wide. Its slender growth habit makes it ideal for use as a screen or hedge in tight planting areas.
- Flowering: The Slim™ Callistemon produces a profusion of flower buds in spring which bloom into classic red bottlebrush flowers through spring, summer, and again in autumn, attracting pollinators and adding visual interest.
- Size: It reaches up to 3 meters in height and 1.3 meters in width, making it a versatile option for both residential and commercial landscapes.
- Planting Density: Plant 1-3 plants per square meter or 1-1.5 plants per linear meter, depending on the desired density of the hedge or screen.
- Uses: Ideal for narrow beds, along fences, or as a feature plant in smaller gardens where space is limited. It also functions well in urban landscapes and public spaces.
- Position: This variety is adaptable to full sun or part shade and can grow in most soil types. It’s tolerant of both drought and frost conditions.
- Care: Once established after an 8-13 week period, watering requirements are generally low. It’s recommended to plant in a well-mulched garden using chunky mulch. Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring if necessary. Pruning can be done 1-3 times a year after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser growth.
- Climate Suitability: Performs well in a range of climates including QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, & WA.
Red Alert™ Callistemon viminalis ‘KPS38’ PBR
- Description: Featuring vibrant new red growth that appears for approximately two months in autumn and spring. It provides an attractive display almost year-round, presenting lighter red growth during other months.
- Size: Can reach 2-2.4m in height and spread 1.5-2m wide if left unpruned; can also be maintained between 500mm-2m high and 400mm-1.5m wide with pruning.
- Planting Density: Recommended planting is 1-2 plants per square meter or 1-2 plants per linear meter for hedges.
- Uses: Excellent as a hedge or a stand-alone specimen shrub in a garden setting.
- Position: Adapts well to full sun or part shade and tolerates a range of soil types.
- Tolerance: Resilient against frost and drought, making it suitable for various climate conditions.
- Care: Requiring watering for the initial 8-13 weeks until established. A chunky mulch garden bed is preferred, and slow-release fertilizer may be applied in spring. Pruning after the red new growth can maintain the desired form and density, with the frequency depending on the gardener’s preference.
- Geographical Suitability: Grows well in QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, & WA.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a small bottlebrush hedge to define a border, or a larger one to provide screening, there’s a callistemon hedge that’s perfect for your needs.
Just make sure to put the right plant into the right place, and that it will be able to thrive in its position.
