Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush)
Botanical Information
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Genus | Callistemon |
| Species | citrinus |
| Synonyms | Metrosideros citrina, Callistemon lanceolatus |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Southeastern Australia. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The leaves can be used in teas and to make a cinnamon dye. The flowers can be used for a tan dye. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H4 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 7 |
| Temperature (°F) | 45 |
| Height | 1 - 7 m |
| Spread | 1 - 2 m |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | May, June, July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Large and upright. |
| Landscape | Hedge, screening, specimen or accent plant. |
| Propagation | Stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer. Cut new shoots of growth approximately 7 - 10 cm in size, place them in a pot of peat moss, coarse sand and keep moist. Callistemon citrinus can also be grown from seed in spring. |
| Cultivation | Full sun. Thrives in well-drained soils with high organic matter. Warm, dry climates and is drought tolerant. |
| Pests | Spider mites and scale. |
| Notable Specimens | Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia. |
| Habitat | Swamps and along the sides of rocky streams. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Hard. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Grouped in dozens and are 1 - 4 cm in size. |
| Leaf Description | Alternately arranged, thin and pointed at the top. 8 mm wide and 3 - 7 cm long. Gives off a lemon scent when squeezed or crushed. |
| Flower Description | The flowers have spikes that are about 6 - 10 cm long. Flowers bloom late spring to early summer in their native region and can bloom again in November and December in cooler climates. |
| Fruit Description | Small, cup-shaped capsules that appear in clusters. Located along the stems of the plant and are about 7 mm wide. |
| Colour Description | The bark is dark brown. The buds are a greenish-red. The flowers are bright red. The leaves are medium green. |
| Texture Description | The bark has a fairly smooth to stringy texture. New growth has a velvety texture. |
Photographs
Callistemon citrinus, form.
Callistemon citrinus, leaf.
Callistemon citrinus, flower.
