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By Mrs FM
Hartley.
Unusual
& Old
Fashioned Fruit
Trees.
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Edible Plants.
Environmental
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Alan J Hartley
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Tree Project.
Callistemon – Bottle Brush.
Not really a tree, but more of a tall bush the
Callistemon, or Bottle Brush is a member of the myrtle family that comes
from Australia and has recently had a name change to Melaleuca. The
variety Citrinus is the most reliable here in the UK, but even so they
are not very hardy and will succumb to the cold in all but the most
sheltered of city centre gardens. Growing to only between 6 and 15 feet
these naturally compact and slow growing plants can make a good hedge
under the right conditions. Not only do Callistemons need to be warm,
but they need to be sheltered from the wind and planted in a well
drained spot as too much wet, especially in the winter, can kill them.
Perhaps they are best grown in full sun along with other drought
tolerant plants such as Lavender and Salvias to make the best of their
spectacular, bright red flowers that look like Bottle Brushes, hence
their common name.
Here in the UK Callistemenon are probably best grown in Conservatories,
or in large tubs on a sunny yard where they can be taken inside for the
winter. Having said that, I have a small bush that I planted in my
garden several years ago, and although the frost has cut it back
occasionally, it is still growing quite happily.
Not being a native plant, Callistemenons do not have many problems here,
but they are prone to iron deficiency, or Iron Chlorosis that causes a
yellowing of the leaves. Surprisingly, young plants can suffer from
being too dry and need to be kept moist in summer until they get older,
but you must be very careful with their watering.
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