Weeping Bottlebrush Melaleuca viminalis 'Woodlander's Hardy'

Hardy red bottlebush is an evergreen small-to-medium cultivar shrub in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). The exact parentage is unknown, but Woodlanders Nursery introduced it. It is the most cold hardy of the bottlebushes, tolerating zero-degree temperatures. The genus name comes from the Greek words kalli meaning "beautiful" and stemon meaning "stamen" referring to the showy stamens present on most species in this genus.

This shrub grows in a dense form with arching branches reaching 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. It can be pruned to control size and since it blooms on new wood, pruning will also increase flower production. Grow in full sun in average well-drained soils. Once established, it has moderate tolerance to drought and is deer, heat and humidity tolerant. In zone 7, it may die to the ground if not given enough cold protection but will regrow in spring.

The showy flowers appear on terminal branches in summer and have long bright red stamens. They are a magnet to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The evergreen foliage has a coppery tone in the winter.

Use this shrub in borders, as a hedge or a foundation planting in winter, pollinator, cottage or children's gardens. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:    No significant problems