Melaleuca citrina
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Callistemon citrinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- me-luh-LOO-kuh sih-TRE-nuh
- Description
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Crimson Bottlebrush is an evergreen shrub in the myrtle family that is native to Australia and South Wales. It grows 8 to 15 feet tall and wide. The yellow or red flowers occur in long bottlebrush looking clusters in spring and again in fall. There are several cultivars available with different colored flowers. It is hardy down to 20-25 degrees F and would need winter protection in zone 8.
It prefers well-drained soils in full sun and is drought tolerant. It may be difficult to find for sale.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- "Burgundy"
Purple-red flowers - "Endeavour"
Red flowers - "Mauve Mist"
Mauve flowers - "Reeves Pink"
Pink flowers - "White Anzac"
White flowers with yellow stamens
- "Burgundy"
- "Burgundy", "Endeavour", "Mauve Mist", "Reeves Pink", "White Anzac"
- Tags:


















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- "Burgundy"
Purple-red flowers - "Endeavour"
Red flowers - "Mauve Mist"
Mauve flowers - "Reeves Pink"
Pink flowers - "White Anzac"
White flowers with yellow stamens
- "Burgundy"
- "Burgundy", "Endeavour", "Mauve Mist", "Reeves Pink", "White Anzac"
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Melaleuca
- Species:
- citrina
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern & South Eastern Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- Resistant to deer
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Woody cup-shaped capsules
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Bright crimson flowers on 4-5 inch, erect, terminal inflorescence with a bottlebrush-like appearance. Up to 40 individual flowers with very long stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 1-3 inch, alternate, simple, lanceolate, bright green leaves; prominent, ribbed midvein; new growth is coppery; lemon odor when crushed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer