The resurgence of the Bottlebrush: Callistemon pachyphyllus Green

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Hedge, Screening plants

I feel like there needs to be a a resurgence in the planting of Callistemon species in home gardens, they have been given a bad name through thoughtless street planting and gardeners overlooking their pruning needs.

There are a handful of Callistemons that I think are worthy of pride of place in a native garden, the first one is Callistemon pachyphyllus Green, a NSW local bottlebrush that grows naturally in coastal heathland in full sun to part shade.

I have been amazed at this plants ability to flower almost all year round, as long as old flowers are removed when finished, this species seems to spot flower throughout the year and put on two full on shows in Spring and Autumn.

Callistemon pachyphyllus is a small to medium sized shrub and the green flowered form is the variety viridis which is found throughout the range of the species. Growing to between 1.5 and 2 metres high and the same wide it has a soft weeping habit with grey green leaves and showy pale lime flowers.

Callistemon pachyphyllus Green makes an excellent screening or hedging plant and is bird and bee attracting. It withstands strong winds and periods of drought and temporary boggy soils. It flowers best in full sun but also performs quite well in part-shade.

I like combining this Callistemon with grey leaved foliage to set off the lime flowers and reddish new growth. Strangely enough the flowers also last in a vase for unto 5 days, its a fantastic beginner gardeners plant and something a little different in the Bottlebrush genus, give it a try!

Posted

16/04/2018

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Hedge, Screening plants

Kath Gadd

Tags:

bee attracting, Callistemon pachyphyllus Green, clay soils, cut flowers, green flowers, water logged soils, weeping habit, wind tolerant, year round flowering

Comments

6 responses to “The resurgence of the Bottlebrush: Callistemon pachyphyllus Green”

Sally Moss

01/07/2019

For a massed planting of the Callistemon pachyphyllus (green) in a partly shaded, windy coastal environment, what spacings would you recommend?

Reply
1. Kath Gadd
  
  01/07/2019
  
  Hi Sally,
  
  I would plant them 700mm to 1m apart, and tip prune them to keep them bushy.
  
  Best Wishes,
  
  Kath
  
  Reply
Monika

21/01/2021

Can you purchase Callistemon pachyphyllus (Green) in Victoria ?
Just love the look of this plant !

Reply
1. Kath Gadd
  
  25/02/2021
  
  Hi Monika,
  
  Sorry about the delayed reply, have you been able to find it? You could try calling some of your local nurseries, as I’m unaware of any online ones that this variety of Callistemon. Whereabouts in Vic are you located?
  
  All the best,
  Kath
  
  Reply
Ed

01/05/2022

Hi
I’m in UK and trying to source selection of Callistemon / Melaleuca seeds, I have few of common usual ones, but it difficult to source the less common or rare seeds, contacted mostly Australia & USA, either they have limited stocks due one reason or another, but shipping seems to be bigger problem & cost, any help would be apricated, perhaps someone who has private garden, and have shrubs my willing to send seeds, I’m more than willing to cover cost Thanks

Reply
1. Kath Gadd
  
  05/05/2022
  
  Hi Ed,
  
  Have you tried contacting Kew gardens or their friends of the gardens? There might be someone there who is able to help you. Sometimes export/import laws can make it difficult to send indigenous products overseas.
  
  Goodluck,
  Kath
  
  Reply