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Callistemon citrinus Melaleuca citrina

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Callistemon citrinus
Phonetic Spelling
me-luh-LOO-kuh sih-TRE-nuh
Description

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", "Endeavour", "Mauve Mist", "Reeves Pink", "White Anzac"
Tags:
#evergreen#deer resistant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Flowering branch
Flowering branch David Edwards CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Form
Form Forest and Kim Starr CC BY 2.0
Close up of flower
Close up of flower Kristen CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Close up of end of the flower
Close up of end of the flower Col-Ford-and-Natasha-de-Vere- CC BY 2.0
Branch
Branch Juniperus scopulorum CC BY-NC 2.0
Fruit
Fruit Richid H CC BY-NC 2.0
Leaves
Leaves Dinesh-Valke CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Bark
Bark Dinesh-Valke CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Melaleuca citrina
Form in Pot Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Melaleuca citrina
Flower and Leaves Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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", "Endeavour", "Mauve Mist", "Reeves Pink", "White Anzac"
Tags:
#evergreen#deer resistant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Woody cup-shaped capsules
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer