Callistemon rigidus (Erect Bottlebrush, Stiff Bottlebrush)
Callistemon rigidus is a stiff upright shrub native to Australia. It reaches 2-2.5 m in height and 2.5-3 m in weight at maturity. It , is characterized by red flower spikes that are shaped like bottle brushes. The flower spikes t appear in the spring and summer. The persistent fruits are hard seed capsules grow around the stem. The narrow leaves of this shrub are sharply pointed and fragrant when crushed.. The stems continues to grow after the flowers and seed capsules, so they are not necessarily at the terminal. So there will be foliage, flower or seed capsules and then foliage again. Bottlebrush can be trained to grow into a small, multi-trunk tree. The plant can function as a nice specimen, patio, and container plant. It attacks butterflies and hummingbirds. Bottlebrush requires a full sun position in the landscape and well-drained soils. It is heat and drought tolerant but will not tolerate overwatering. It has a serious stem disease causing a witches broom.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Pronunciation: kal-liss-STEE-mun RIDGE-jid-us
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Plant type: Shrub
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Origin: Australia
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Heat Zones: 6 to 11
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 13
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Uses: Hedge, Specimen, Wildlife, Reclamation
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Moderate
Tree Shape: Spreading
Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical
Canopy Density: Medium
Canopy Texture: Fine
Height at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 m
Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 2 to 5 Years
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Alternate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: Less than 5
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Margins: Ciliate
Leaf Texture: Smooth
Leaf Scent: Pleasant
Color(growing season): Green
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Size Range: 7 - 10
Flower Type: Spike
Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)
Flower Scent: No Fragance
Flower Color: Red
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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Trunk
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked
Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy
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Fruit
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Showiness: Yes
Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5, 1.5 - 3
Fruit Color: Brown
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Hedwig Storch (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Search plant on Google
Download as PDF
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Tolerance
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Water Requirements: Moderate, Low
Light Requirements: Full
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Management
Toxicity: No
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Yes
Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: 25-50 years
Pests: Mites