Callistemon Citrinus Lemon Bottlebrush

Callistemon Citrinus commonly known as Lemon Bottlebrush or Red Bottlebrush. It is a useful and attractive evergreen shrub for urban, cottage, and coastal garden borders. Botanically known as Callistemon Lanceolatus or Callistemon Citrinis, this upright, spreading evergreen shrub is a native of Australia. Its 10-centimetre evergreen foliage is lance-shaped, mildly aromatic, and covered in fine silky hair. New shoots are silvery, before maturing to mid-brown.  The showy spiky red flowers resemble a bottle brush – hence its common name Bottlebrush Plant. The red flowers are semi-open spikes measuring 10 cm in length. In late summer they mature into woody seed capsules which remain on the plant for years.  In winter, the foliage and capsules remain on the plant and look attractive covered in frost. They also provide hibernation areas for over-wintering insects. Bottlebrush is a great border filler that provides year-round interest. 

Height And Spread Of Callistemon Citrinus
Callistemon Lanceolatus can reach 2-4 metres high and a few metres in spread but is easily kept smaller with pruning.

How Hardy Is Callistemon Citrinus
Callistemon Lanceolatus is hardy down to sub-zero temperatures if the roots are kept drained. It can withstand coastal sprays and drought once established.

How To Use Callistemon Citrinus
Lemon bottlebrush is a great border filler. It looks good in wall-side borders and courtyards in urban or coastal areas. 
Bottlebrush brings a pop of colour in a long grass garden where the foliage blends well with tall grasses. Bottlebrush flowers also suit the Mediterranean-style garden which benefits from the long-lasting blooms and interesting foliage.
You can grow Lemon Bottlebrush in a well-watered container on a sunny patio to enjoy the aromatic foliage and pollinator-attracting blooms. The woody seed pods also look attractive in flower displays.

How to Care For Callistemon Citrinus
Callistemon Lanceolatus prefers a spot that’s free from harsh drying winds but will tolerate coastal sprays. It enjoys most types of soil so long as it is free-draining. 
Plant yours in full sun to partial shade and water well until established. A thick layer of mulch around the roots seals in moisture, suppresses weed competition, and provides nutrients for a healthy show of lemony-bottlebrush flowers in spring. 
There is no need to prune a bottlebrush as they naturally grow erect and spreading, but you can reduce the size or remove dead branches in late winter or early spring.