Callistemon rigidus (Stiff Bottlebrush)
Stiff Bottlebrush
Callistemon rigidus (Stiff Bottlebrush) is a bushy, upright, evergreen shrub with slightly arching branches clothed with long, narrow, sharply pointed, dark green leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm). The leaves are fragrant when bruised. Dense spikes of bright deep red flowers, 4 in. long (10 cm) bloom in late spring and early summer. They will bloom intermittently throughout the year in frost-free areas. The blooms are a copious source of nectar for birds and hummingbirds. They are followed by prominent, button-like, seed capsules. An eye-catching specimen for a sunny shrub border.
- Grows up to 10-20 ft. tall (3-6 m) and 10 ft. wide (3 m). Will grow to 20 ft. tall (6 m) in its native habitat. In northern climates, it is typically grown as a 3-5 ft. tall shrub or standard (90-150 cm).
- Easily grown in acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Grow in a sheltered position. Drought tolerant but performs best with regular irrigation.
- Great for foundations, wall-side borders, Mediterranean gardens, or coastal gardens.
- Virtually disease-free and pest-free. Watch for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects when grown under glass. Deer resistant.
- Prune immediately after flowering.
- Propagate by seed or from semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Native to Australia
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Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Callistemon - Bottlebrushes |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 20' (90cm – 6m) |
Spread | 3' – 10' (90cm – 3m) |
Spacing | 120" (300cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | Australia |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
By Luchia Georganta, Rickyd, Shutterstock
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 10
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Callistemon - Bottlebrushes |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 20' (90cm – 6m) |
Spread | 3' – 10' (90cm – 3m) |
Spacing | 120" (300cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | Australia |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden |