Callistemon linearifolius (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 4m
Eventual Spread: 4m
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Myrtaceae
Callistemon linearifolius is an evergreen shrub or tree with an open habit. Its grey/ green leaves are linear to lanceolate with pointed tips, up to 10cm long and 7m broad. It flowers are up to 10cm long bottle brush like spikes of hermaphrodite flowers with enlarged scarlet red stamens arranged radially around the tips of the flowering stems. These are followed by clusters of dark grey, tightly spaced small fruit which are up to 7mm across.
Callistemon linearifolius Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Callistemon linearifolius, commonly known as the Nettled Bottlebrush or Narrow Leaf Bottlebrush, is native to New South Wales, Australia. In its native habitat it grows in dry sclerophyll (vegetation with hard leaves) forest.
The etymological root of the binomial name Callistemon is derived from the ancient Greek Kalli meaning ‘beautiful’ and stamen the pollen producing part of a flower. Linearifolius is derived from the Latin linearis meaning ‘linear’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Callistemon linearifolius useful as an attractive evergreen flowering shrub. A warm sheltered location will ensure this plant flowers prolifically.
Callistemon linearifolius Seed (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Ecologically, Callistemon linearifolius flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Callistemon linearifolius prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Callistemon linearifolius requires little maintenance, dead or damaged material may be removed after flowering.