Bottle Brush Callistemon Species Plants > How to grow Callistemon Bottle Brush plants
How to grow Callistemon Bottle Brush plants
Bottle Brush shrubs are one of the hardiest of Australian native plants. There are a variety of Bottle Brush plants (botanical name Callistemon) from tall shrubs, to low shrubs, to ground covers. Callistemons can also grow in a variety of climatic zones from tropical right through to cool temperate regions making Bottle Brushes one of the most grown of all Australian natives. They are a popular shrub in Australia and around the world.
Callistemons are very easy to grow, and have few pest problems. Callistemons will grow in a variety of soils from sandy soils right through to heavy clays (where few other plants will grow). Callistemons are also drought tolerant plants and will take extended periods of dry weather. Added to this they have fantastic flowering features, producing masses of Bottle Brush flowers at various times of year (mostly in the warmer months).
Generally speaking Callistemons are low maintenance plants. They generally do not require pruning, their natural shape being the most suitable. However they can be pruned if required to keep them more compact. Pruning is generally done after flowering. Callistemons can be used as screen plants or hedges or just as a feature plant. They generally live between 15 and 45 years.
How to plant Bottle Brush Callistemons
The planting process for Callistemons is quite easy. Due to the fact that they are very hardy they do not require any special planting technique. However, when planting dig a hole twice the size of the pot and back fill with an improved planting mix. Callistemons will respond well to organic fertilisers like manures, so mix some manures in with your planting mix. Water well for the first couple of months. Once the plant has started developing roots, the shrub will pretty mush look after itself.
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How & what to fertilise Bottle Brush with
Callistemons do not require a great deal of fertiliser. Generally they will grow well on most soils and gain enough nutrients from the soil present. However, in situations where the soil is very impoverished Callistemons can be fertilised with organic or NPK fertilisers. Any organic fertiliser can be used, even chicken manure. However, do not over fertilise, add it in stages through the year. In regard to NPK granular fertilisers, any general purpose garden fertiliser is sufficient for Callistemons. Australian Native fertilisers are also suitable for Callistemons. Give granular fertilisers twice a year, in spring and autumn.
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Bottle Brush as hedge & screen plants
Bottle brush Callistemons, make excellent screen plants. They grow quickly and provide a good, thick flowering screen. Many varieties only grow to around 3 metres so making them a good size for a screen plant. Callistemons do however drop a lot of flowers and can make a bit of a mess. but due to the fact they are so low maintenance many gardeners are happy to put up with the flower drop. Callistemons can be hedged, however due to the the hedging process the flowers stems are cut off and as a result the plants do not develop flowers. Callistemons are much better grown in a natural shape when grown as a hedge and the flowering is much improved. Their weeping nature suits a natural form hedge more then a shaped hedge.
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