Common Name: bottlebrush bush
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Myrtaceae
Zone: 7 to 10
Height: 6.00 to 8.00 feet
Spread: 6.00 to 8.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Red
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Evergreen
Attracts: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought
Culture
Best in moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Established plants tolerate some soil dryness.
'Woodlander's Hardy' is one of the most hardy of all the available Callistemon cultivars. It is reliably hardy to 0°F (Zone 7), but may die back to the ground if not given proper protection.
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus Callistemon is made up of about 50 species of shrubs native to the Australian continent. Some are used for horticulture purposes, including C. viridiflorus, C. citrinus, and C. rigidus. There are also many cultivars available.
The genus name Callistemon comes from the Greek words kalli meaning "beautiful" and stemon meaning "stamen" in reference to the showy stamens present on most species in this genus.
The common name bottlebush comes from the shape of the inflorescences which resemble a bottlebrush.
'Woodlander's Hardy' is a medium to large sized, evergreen shrub with a gently arching form and a somewhat dense and compact habit. It resembles C. citrinus, but the plant's exact parentage is unknown. It can reach 6-8' tall and equally as wide, but can be pruned back to reduce its size and increase flowering. This plant has narrow, lance-shaped leaves and terminal clusters of flowers sporting numerous showy, bright red stamens. The flowers emerge from new wood in summer and are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators. The foliage may take on a coppery tone in winter. Introduced by Woodlanders Nursery.
Problems
No major insect or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Although 'Woodlander's Hardy' is, as its name suggests, quite hardy, it can still die back to the ground in Zone 7 during a cold winter. Mulching and other protection measures can prevent this.
Uses
Outdoors they can be planted in a sunny mixed border, or used in container plantings. In colder climates, they should be brought indoors for the winter or grown in a greenhouse year-round.