A native from Australia, this shrub will tolerate most soils and salt wind conditions. Best with some water during dry season - more likely to bloom more than once a year with regular water. Bottlebrush are moderate growers, and need good regular watering to become established.
Leaves are narrow and leathery and new fuzzy growth exhibits bronzy coloring that turns to vivd green when mature. Well known for its bristlelike stamens—the nursery trade now offers several colors beside the traditional red. There are magenta, white, purple and pink varieties available. Blooms are interesting in flower arrangements. Hummingbirds love this shrub. Bees and birds are attracted as well. Placement near walkways should be considered if there are issues with having bees swooping by. Woody seed capsules form after the bloom and are very useful in dried arrangements.
Some bottlebrush varieties are long and leggy and take well to being shaped into a small tree form (20-25 feet). Other varieties are very compact and make good mounding shrubs or can be trimmed into hedges.
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Maximum height
10-15 feet tall & wide
More in tree form
Life Span
60 + years |
