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Plant Profile

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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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  • Pronunciation: kal-liss-STEE-mun RIDGE-jid-us

  • Plant type: Shrub

  • Origin: Australia

  • Heat Zones: 6 to 11

    Hardiness Zones: 8 to 13

  • Uses: Hedge, Specimen, Wildlife, Reclamation

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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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  • 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

  • Flower

    Flower Showiness: Yes

    Flower Size Range: 7 - 10

    Flower Type: Spike

    Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

    Flower Scent: No Fragance

    Flower Color: Red

    Seasons: Spring, Summer

  • Trunk

    Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage

    Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked

    Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy

  • Fruit

    Fruit Type: Capsule

    Fruit Showiness: Yes

    Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5, 1.5 - 3

    Fruit Color: Brown

    Seasons: Spring, Summer

  • 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
  • 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
  • By Laurentius (Photo taken by Laurentius) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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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  • Tolerance

    Frost Tolerant: No

    Drought Tolerance: No

    Salt Tolerance: Moderate

  • Requirements

    Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand

    Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

    Water Requirements: Moderate, Low

    Light Requirements: Full

  • Management

    Toxicity: No

    Invasive Potential: No

    Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Yes

    Pruning Requirements: Little needed, to develop a strong structure

    Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

    Surface Rooting: No

    Life Span: 25-50 years

    Pests: Mites

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