Want hummingbirds and butterflies in the garden ? The bottlebrush plant is a surefire victor if you do . With its bright ruby flush spikes and its forgiving growing use , bottlebrush ( Melaleucaspp . , USDA hardiness zones 9 to 10 ) is an gentle - to - uprise bush or tree if you live in its hardiness zones . The bottlebrush is an evergreen bush or tree that is native to South Wales and Australia .
About the Bottlebrush Tree
Let ’s begin with a faithful flavour at the bottlebrush plant ’s binominal name , assorted varieties and cultural necessity .
Binomial Name and Varieties
If you are researching the bottlebrush tree , you are likely to find it classified in theCallistemongenus , but it has been reassigned to theMelaleucagenus . It is also commonly called either a scarlet bottlebrush , crimson bottlebrush or gamboge bottlebrush , all of which are the same variety .
While you may prune a bottlebrush into a bush form or hedge or let it grow into its natural tree shape , you may also choose between two chief miscellany : an upright form ( Melaleuca citrina , previously _ Callistemon citrinu_s ) or the crying bottlebrush ( Melaleuca viminalis , previouslyCallistemon viminalis ) . Each eccentric is useable in arange of varietiesand cultivars .
Cultural Requirements
Grow bottlebrush shrubs outdoors in icing - spare areas or in container if you live on in a colder zone . If grown in a container , you ’ll necessitate to prune it to maintain a small tree diagram sizing and manageable shape ; otherwise , a bottlebrush typically grows 8 to 15 foot both tall and wide-cut .
Like many plant , this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree requires full Lord’s Day and well - draining soil . However , it ’s not fussy about soil eccentric and pH , being able to grow in both clayish or sandy soil , as well as in slenderly alkaline or acidic environments .
It ’s also drought liberal once make , so it is a great choice for gardens in location with dry summers .
Bottlebrush Care
Now get ’s take a facial expression at how to deal for this rattling plant .
Planting Location
When you bring your bottlebrush tree diagram home from the greenhouse , consider how you plan to incorporate itinto your landscape painting — will it be a specimen tree and reserve to grow to its full size ? Or are you be after to prune it as a shrub , hedgerow or espalier ?
If you are allow it to grow into its full , natural size , take its matured growth and plant it at least 12 feet away from other plant . Again , insure soil with upright drainage and a full - sun location .
total no exceptional amendments when embed so that the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will accommodate to the aboriginal land you have . Water well after embed , and maintain a even , weekly irrigation docket during the tree ’s first develop time of year .
Tip
Bottlebrush trees can produce quite large , so be certain to embed it at least 12 foot forth from other plants .
Seasonal Care
While the bottlebrush is generally low upkeep , it do good from some regular , seasonal tending :
Pests and Diseases
The bottlebrush is resistive to most pest and disease , although it can get root rot if grown in ill draining soils and powdery mildew if the foliage remains wet . It is moderately susceptible to mites and louse galls .
If you ’re growing this plant life indoors , supervise it for wanderer hint and scale .
