Weeping Bottlebrush Melaleuca viminalis 'Red Cascade'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Weeping Bottlebrush:
Previously known as:
- Callistemon viminalis 'Red Cascade'
- Phonetic Spelling
- vim-in-AH-liss
- Description
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'Red Cascade' is a small evergreen tree cultivar of the weeping bottlebrush tree native to Australia in the Myrtaceae (Myrtle) family. The Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, introduced this cultivar.
The plant's rounded or weeping branches are quite strong and not prone to breakage. The tree's growth rate is rapid and, once mature, it can reach a height and width of 20 feet. Itgrows well in many soil types and prefers a well-drained site in full sun. It needs regular watering but can survive drought as a mature plant. It is not frost-hardy or salt-tolerant.
Large numbers of red flowers, in a shape that resembles bottlebrushes, appear from spring through summer, lending color to the tree, and the nectar of the blooms attracts hummingbirds. Later in the season, the tree's fruit attracts birds and small mammals. An interesting appearance is maintained through the fall and winter with furrowed exfoliating gray bark.
It has a unique sculptural form and is a great choice for a street tree or planting under utility lines. An ideal specimen tree for hot, dry, low-maintenance landscapes. It does produce some leaf and flower litter so consider that when planting it near hardscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to mites and insect galls and root rot, canker and witches broom can be problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Callistemon
- Species:
- viminalis
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Australia
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers provide nectar to hummingbirds. Fruits are attractive to birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flower arrangement on the tree resembles a bottlebrush. Flowers are a very showy red and appear in spring or summer. Has perfect flowers (male and female parts in each flower).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Gray-green, narrow lanceolate, evergreen.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Hard grey bark exfoliates in the fall and winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
