Genus: Callistemon

I have been growing one of these for twelve years. The only attention I have given it is to cut out any shoots heading too far out from the bush right back to where they meet another branch. I haven't fed or watered it but it seems quite happy. The first winter is the critical time; once it has got through that OK, it seems to cope with anything the British weather throws at it

I wonder if you should prune it. Perhaps lightly to keep its compactness but I found Callistemon species do not like being pruned. I know sometimes they grow straggly and sideways, but their life is not as long as one would like. They virtually do not need looking after much at all.They like to be well mulched, and they are fairly frost resistant. The colour of the flowers range through white, cream, and green, to mauve, pink, purple, and red. Some give the pleasure of two flowering seasons a year. There are many variations within a species which combined with a readiness to freely hybridise makes for a very considerable collection.there are about 25 species, is endemic to Australia, mainly in the eastern states. Many occur in moist, sunny habitats, but most are adaptable to various garden conditions. They are hardy and quick growing in fairly deep, but light, loamy or sandy soil. Protect them from strong winds. Like many natives, many callistemons will tolerate both waterlogging and dry periods but keep the water up to them in a dry summer to get the best flowering, and well presented shrubs.

Usually after flowering is the best time,it encourages new growth and helps to keep shrub tidy

Bottlebrush or Callistemon

Plants are very tolerant of pruning, even old plants will regenerate if pruned back hard into the old wood

Pruning young plants will help to produce a better branched shrub. Mature plants can be pruned after flowering if needed to maintain a compact habit. This pruning consists of taking out any badly placed branches, cutting back strong growth by about a half and weaker shoots by two thirds. You can also cut back plants quite severely into the wood and they will resprout successfully. Callistemons are interesting in as much as the growing point does not abort after flowering, but grows on beyond the inflorescence to produce further stem, leaf and, eventually, flowers. By leaving the plant unpruned you can have lots of flowers and still see the interesting seed capsules clustering around the lower parts of the stems.

ou can take Cuttings of half-ripe wood

Quite right Amy it is indeed a bottle brush. or Callistemon - if you want to be flash lol

looks like an australian bottle brush , I have some ,It looks the same , mine are just coming into flower, they are pretty

Very different! What is this?

The name sure does fit this,,,,,,pretty red too......smiles

I love this shrub. I tryed to grow it once, too bad it didn't love me back...lol. So I'll just admire yours.