
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
The Red Cluster Bottlebrush or Callistemon rigidus 'Clemson Hardy' is a blooming shrub that makes a statement all year long. Glossy, oblong green foliage comes to a point and sticks with this evergreen plant throughout the year. During the spring, summer, and fall, clusters of red flowers with thin, wispy petals appear along the branches. The blooms bear a striking resemblance to bottlebrushes and inspire the name. The fuzzy flowers add texture and vivid color to a landscape.
This plant is native to Australia, so that it can live very comfortably in somewhat challenging conditions. In the U.S., the Red Cluster Bottlebrush is a perennial in zones 8 through 11. Established plants are drought- and heat-tolerant and require very low maintenance. Thanks to its bold blooms, this plant is commonly used in a hedge, to create a screen planting, or as an accent. Butterflies and hummingbirds are known to be attracted to this tree-like shrub that is also deer resistant.
Red Cluster Bottlebrush Plant Care
Plant the Red Cluster Bottlebrush in the full sun using well-draining soil. Newly planted Bottlebrush plants need water when the top few inches of the soil dry out. Established plants are drought-tolerant and only need water during an extended dry spell.
Prune in early spring to maintain a neat appearance and promote full and dense growth. Feed the plant using a balanced fertilizer in the spring to encourage more flowers.
Red Cluster Bottlebrush Plant Spacing
This is a large plant and, once mature, Red Cluster Bottlebrush can be 12 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. When planting with other plants, space everything 4 to 6 feet apart to create a dense hedgerow. Plants can be spaced further apart if you do not want a hedge-like look.
Red Cluster Bottlebrush Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 - 10 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 12 - 15 Feet |
Mature Spread: 8 - 10 Feet |
Spacing: 4 - 6 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Red |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Spring To Fall |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Low |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat, Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Hedges & Privacy, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance |
Brand: Southern Living Plants |
Common Name: Red Cluster Bottlebrush |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: Calistemon rigidus 'Clemson Hardy' |
- SKU:
- BOTTRC
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!