Australian natives , many bottlebrush ( _ Callistemon spp . _ ) miscellanea originate as 30 - ft trees or large shrubs . Dwarf bottlebrush ( _ Callistemon citrinus _ " Little John " ) is more compact . It was discovered in the 1980s by Ken Dunstan of New South Wales , Australia , and was named the 1986 Shrub of the Year in Australia .
Step 1
Bottlebrushesget their name from their showy , brush - shaped peak . On " Little John , " theseflowersare crimson and look in spring and summer . The leaves are blue - green , and stay on the plant year - round . gnome bottlebrush has dim branches that grow in a mound shape that reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 8 invertebrate foot wide . The mature size is commonly closer to 3 feet tall and 5 animal foot wide . This variety maturate in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11 . It will survive temperature down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit , and may rebound back if all the leaves are kill by temperature that drop a few degree humble .
Landscape Uses
With its spreading growth habit , dwarf bottlebrush play well asground coverin full sun where other plant would droop in the heat . Because the flowers are so striking , a single bottlebrush makes a dramaticaccent plantin a larger design . you could also engraft several in a line to create a lowhedge . Dwarf bottlebrush becomes a workhorse in garden designed for a special intent . The flowers attract hummingbirds and bees , so it make a welcome summation to wildlife gardens . With its permissiveness for drought , gnome bottlebrush fits in well with desert landscapes or weewee - wise gardens . Because it tolerates salt spray , dwarf bottlebrush is a good selection for seaboard garden . Bottlebrush can grow back from the roots if the top part of the plant is ruin , making it useful in firescaping .
Step 2
Planting Requirements
Dwarf bottlebrush create thebest flowerswhen planted in full Dominicus . It is not picky about whether the soil is moist or well - draining , but does not originate well in highly alkaline dirt . Forcontainer originate , it ’s a good idea to mix garden grease in with the potting mix to supply minerals . Peat moss is also a skilful additive for bottlebrush , because it helps broken pH. If you require to make your own potting commixture , merge 1 part each weed - free garden soil , peat moss and perlite . In the garden , space dwarf bottlebrush plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet asunder . For container ontogenesis , commence a untested bottlebrush in a 12 - inch quite a little that apply about 5 gallons of pot mix . As the bottlebrush grows , move it to a green goddess one size larger each grow season until it reaches its mature size of it . check that any tummy you use has drainage holes .
Basic Care
In its native habitat , bottlebrush grows in moist areas . Once established , drouth - liberal dwarf bottlebrush needs fiddling supplementary piddle . Dwarf bottlebrush may even become chlorotic , with itsleaves turn white-livered , in to a fault wet soil . This same problem can occur in alkaline land where the pH is too high . If the leaves bug out to turn xanthous in stiff or alkaline grease , chelated iron fertilizers help palliate the problem . put on a chelated iron fertilizer at a rate of 3 to 5 ounces per 100 straight feet to the filth during the spring up time of year , or according to the command on the package . Forregular fertiliser , utilise a fertilizer to a nanus bottlebrush once before new growth begins in the saltation using a general - purpose fertilizer . utilise a sluggish - release fertilizer with an N - P - K ratio of 12 - 4 - 8 to the dirt at a rate of 4 tablespoons per 4 straight groundwork . Water the area well after applying the fertilizer . The good time to crop a dwarf bottlebrush is immediately after flowering . trim lightly to shape the plant — aim to remove a few inches to preserve an attractive , rounded shape . Hedge shear work well for this . Disinfect the cutting tools by soaking them in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 3 persona water for five bit . gargle the shears and let them gentle wind - dry before use .
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