Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Callistemon citrinus flower by Noodle snacks

    Photo by Noodle snacks

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

    Show all photos

    Buy Callistemon citrinus

    Also Known As

    • Crimson Bottlebrush
    • Lemon Bottlebrush
    • Scarlet Bottlebrush

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 6'-20'
    • W: 8'-20'

    planting zones

    • 8b-11

    2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $19.95

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    35 at Forestfarm

    More Options

    Callistemon citrinus plant details

    Callistemon citrinus is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer red flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Callistemon citrinus

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: myrtaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 8 FT - 20 FT - wide, 6 FT - 20 FT - tall
    Flowers: red blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: bottlebrush flowers, citrus-scented, fragrant, houseplant, lemon-scented

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Callistemon citrinus

    USDA Zones: 8b - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained

    We independently publish plant data to search multiple nurseries at once. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases when you buy through our links.

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Spectacular is the word to describe this 3-15' shrub/small tree when it is covered with its 4" bright scarlet-red bottlebrush blooms! The unusual winter-into-spring blooms are much loved by bees. This lovely Australian plant also features lance-shaped green leaves which when crushed emit a delicious lemon-scent. Although not hardy in most areas, it can be easily be containerized in colder areas and can also be grown as a houseplant. S/M

    By: Forestfarm

    A fabulous small tree or large shrub with narrow, lance shaped, leathery leaves with a distinctly citrus aroma. In early spring occasionally thereafter, it produces enough large, bright red bottlebrush blooms composed mostly of stamens to literally smother the tree with blooms. And then come the hummers in droves! Not very hardy, but for the lucky gardeners who can grow this stunning pest free plant, it's amazing!

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    A beautiful Australian bush with a striking crimson display every spring and summer. The leaves have a pleasant lemony fragrance. It grows quickly and is very heat, cold and drought tollerant. It is fully hardy in zones 8+. If you want a bottlebrush for containers in colder areas, this is your best bet. They can grow 6 ft high or more, but are usually smaller bushes and can be trimmed to any size needed. For sale are plants in small pots (2 1/2 inch). They bloom at a young age, and some of these plants are already forming bloom buds!

    By: Edens Blooms

    Medium sized, evergreen shrub, to 8-10' tall, with handsome, narrow leaves that are lemony when crushed and crimson-red, “bottlebrush" flowers in June and July. A hummingbird's friend. This Australian native makes a great border shrub or small, specimen tree in full sun and well-drained soil. Drought tolerant as well once established! Can also tolerate a bit of frost. Cold hardy in upper USDA Zone 8, resprouting from the base in colder temperatures.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Callistemon citrinus plant

    How to Grow Callistemon citrinus

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds
      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • brown

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Callistemon for your garden

    Callistemon pallidus 'Best Blue'

    aka Best Blue Lemon Bottlebrush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 8'-10'

    Width: 8'-10'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Callistemon pallidus 'Best Blue' flower by Evan Bean
    View Plant

    Callistemon pallidus 'Eleanor'

    aka Eleanor Bottlebrush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 4'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Callistemon pallidus 'Eleanor' flower, foliage by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    Callistemon sieberi

    aka Alpine Bottlebrush, Bottlebrush, River Bottlebrush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7b-11

    Size

    Height: 4'-15'

    Width: 3'-7'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry when dormant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Callistemon sieberi flower by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy'

    aka Callestemon 'Woodlander's Red', Callistemon 'Woodlander Hardy', Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy Red', Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red', Callistemon citrinus 'Hardy Red', Hardy Red Bottlebrush, Woodlander's Hardy Red Bottlebrush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-8'

    Width: 6'-8'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Callistemon 'Woodlander's Hardy' flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    Callistemon salignus

    aka White Bottlebrush, Willow Bottlebrush

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 15'-20'

    Width: 10'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Callistemon salignus flower, foliage by Michael Wolf
    View Plant

    More Options

    +55 more Callistemon
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved