Scarlet Bottlebrush

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(4+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

10-12 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10 Feet

Growing Zones

9 to 10

Scarlet Bottlebrush covers its evergreen branches with scarlet, brush-shaped flowers that hummingbirds can find quickly. Callistemon citrinus, also listed botanically as Melaleuca citrina, grows about 10 to 12 feet tall and wide in many landscapes, with slightly larger size possible as it ages. The leathery gray-green leaves have a citrus scent when bruised, adding another layer of interest beyond the flowers. We use it where a sunny garden needs a flowering screen or specimen that can handle heat, coastal exposure, and leaner soil.

This Australian evergreen shrub or small tree has a rounded habit and can be trained, hedged, or allowed to develop a looser natural outline. Flowering is heaviest from spring into summer, with a longer or repeat bloom season possible in mild, frost-free regions. Scarlet Bottlebrush is deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, pollinator friendly, and useful for cut stems. Plant it as a hedge, privacy screen, border shrub, patio specimen, small flowering tree, or hummingbird garden anchor in warm-zone landscapes.

Scarlet Bottlebrush Care

Plant Scarlet Bottlebrush in full sun for the fullest growth and heaviest flowering. It grows best in average, lightly acidic, well-drained soil and should not be planted in alkaline sites where yellowing foliage can develop. Sandy, loamy, or poorer soils can work when drainage is reliable.

Provide regular moisture through the first growing season while roots establish. Mature plants tolerate mild drought, especially in coastal climates, but inland gardens may need occasional deep watering during hot dry spells. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer before new growth begins. Mulch lightly over the root zone to reduce moisture swings, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Prune Scarlet Bottlebrush after flowering to shape the shrub, shorten stray branches, or train it into a small tree. Older plants can respond to harder renewal pruning, but most home landscapes only need selective trimming. In Zone 8 or colder microclimates, plant in a protected site and use containers if winter protection is needed.

Scarlet Bottlebrush Spacing

Space Scarlet Bottlebrush 8 to 10 feet apart for a dense hedge or flowering privacy screen. Allow 10 to 12 feet between plants when each shrub should mature as a separate rounded specimen. For containers, choose a large pot at least 24 inches wide with drainage holes and a loose, well-drained potting mix.

In sunny coastal beds, plant Scarlet Bottlebrush with agapanthus and African daisy, which handle bright exposure and add lower flowers beneath the taller evergreen shrub. Sedum can cover the dry front edge where drainage is sharp and irrigation is light. In large containers, lantana works well around the base for heat-tolerant seasonal color that matches the bottlebrush’s sun-loving nature.

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