Callistemon viminalis aka Creek Bottlebrush

Taxonomy

Genus Callistemon Family Myrtaceae Order Myrtales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Melaleuca viminalis, also known as weeping bottlebrush or creek bottlebrush, is a multi-trunked, large shrub or tree endemic to New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. It has hard bark, pendulous foliage, and produces an abundance of bright red bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer. This evergreen plant has arching to weeping branches with aromatic, linear to lanceolate leaves. The clusters of vibrant red flowers, resembling a bottle brush, grow in cylindrical spikes up to 20cm long. It is a popular melaleuca species cultivated in gardens worldwide, and its cultivars are widely grown in many countries. While most bottlebrush varieties bloom in shades of red or crimson, C. sieberi stands out with its light yellow flower spikes. These plants thrive in mild climates, typically USDA plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. For colder regions, they can be grown in pots using a rich, peaty potting soil with added sand for drainage. Pruning them annually allows them to be grown in small pots, while larger tubs are necessary for unrestricted growth.

Common names

Creek Bottlebrush, Drooping Bottlebrush, Red Bottlebrush

How to care for Creek Bottlebrush

Difficulty

Caring for Creek Bottlebrush is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Lighting

Creek Bottlebrush requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Drooping Bottlebrush is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Callistemon Genus

Callistemon Bottlebrush

Callistemon citrinus Crimson Bottlebrush