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Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’ (Bottlebrush)

Bottlebrush 'Little John', Dwarf Callistemon, Weeping Bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus 'Little John', Melaleuca viminalis 'Little John'

Callistemon viminalis 'Little John',Bottlebrush 'Little John', Dwarf Callistemon, Mediterranean shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Red flowers, Orange flowers, drought tolerant flowers, Weeping Bottlebrush

A dwarf Bottlebrush variety, Callistemon ‘Little John’ is a beautiful, dense, evergreen shrub grown for its dazzling blood-red flowers and evergreen foliage of narrow, blue-green leaves. Blooming throughout most of the year, the elongated flower spikes of this Australian native are surrounded by long, bristlelike stamens, giving them the look of bottlebrushes, hence the common name. The blooms are a copious source of nectar for birds and hummingbirds. They also make excellent cut flowers. A slow grower, ‘Little John’ is perfect for small gardens.

  • Grows upright with a dense, rounded habit to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 5 ft. wide (150 cm).
  • Easily grown in acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant but performs best with regular irrigation.
  • Deer resistant
  • Great as foundation plant or low hedge for Mediterranean gardens, coastal gardens or containers.
  • Virtually disease free and pest free. Watch for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects when grown under glass
  • Trim to shape anytime. Hard pruning isn’t necessary since the plant grows fairly slowly.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to Australia

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 12
Heat Zones 10 - 11
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Myrtaceae
Genus Callistemon, Melaleuca
Common names Bottlebrush
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' (90cm)
Spread 5' (150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush)
Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush)
Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush)
Callistemon salignus (White Bottlebrush)
Callistemon sieberi (Alpine Bottlebrush)
Callistemon citrinus ‘Mauve Mist’ (Crimson Bottlebrush)
View All Our Callistemon

Recommended Companion Plants

Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant)
Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’
Agave ‘Blue Flame’

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A Terrific Mediterranean Garden with Color and Texture
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 12
Heat Zones 10 - 11
Climate Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Myrtaceae
Genus Callistemon, Melaleuca
Common names Bottlebrush
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' (90cm)
Spread 5' (150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Callistemon to pick?
Compare Now

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