Callistemon phoeniceus (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Myrtaceae
Callistemon phoeniceus is an evergreen shrub or tree with an open habit. Its grey/ green leaves are linear to lance-shaped, up to 12cm long and 1cm broad. It flowers are up to 15cm 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 dark grey, tightly spaced small fruit.
Callistemon phoeniceus Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Callistemon phoeniceus, commonly known as the Lesser Bottlebrush, Fiery Bottlebrush or Scarlet Bottlebrush, is native to south west Australia. In its native habitat it grows on sandy soils near water bodies which are prone to flooding.
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. Phoeniceus is derived from the Greek foinikos meaning red’.
The landscape architect may find Callistemon phoeniceus useful as an attractive evergreen flowering shrub. A warm sheltered location will ensure this plant flowers prolifically.
Callistemon phoeniceus Seed (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Ecologically, Callistemon phoeniceus flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Callistemon phoeniceus prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Callistemon phoeniceus requires little maintenance, dead or damaged material may be removed after flowering.
