YouGarden Callistemon Standard

Introducing - Callistemon – A lemon scented Bottlebrush tree in breath-taking ‘Lollipop’ Form Callistemon is a simply beautiful evergreen tree that will explode with incredible firework-like bottle brush blooms in early summer each year - the flowers are larger than many other varieties. Available here in eye-catching ‘standard’ form so the flowering head is held on a strong stem, well above your other plants, thereby making an incredible visual statement and making your garden really stand out from the crowd. They are perfect for growing in pots on your patio and to make them even more attractive, the foliage has a refreshing lemon-citrus scent that will fill the air when you brush past or crush the leaves. Friendly insects and essential pollinators will flock to the nectar-laden blooms, ensuring that your fruits and vegetables get the essential ‘pollination service’ they require. So even if you are a Grow Your Own gardener with little need for flowering plants – there is no excuse here. Originally raised in Kings Park in Perth, Australia and very commonly grown across the Mediterranean, these complete beauties have incredibly pretty pink foliage when it is young. They love a sun drenched position and will reward you with more spectacular blooms when you site them well. Supplied as a 70-100cm (incl pot) tall standard lollipop-form tree in bud in spring. Prune to keep to size. Will reach up to 3m if allowed free growth. Specifications Supplied approx. 70-100cm tall including pot Availability: April to September Planting time: March to October Flowering time: May to September Top Tips Callistemon will flower best when grown in full sun in moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position away from cold winds. Outdoors, Callistemon (Bottlebrush) look great in mixed borders especially if combined with other drought tolerant plants such as salvias and lavenders. Care Information Planting Advice for Callistemon Bottlebrush Generally unfussy as to soil, poor soil benefits from the addition of plenty of organic matter. Once established plants don't need special attention and are generally problem-free. Pot-grown trees can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. Dig a square planting hole 3 x wider than the roots of the shrub you're planting and mix some well-rotted compost or manure with the soil from the hole and use this to re-fill once the shrub is in place. Before planting soak container-grown shrubs thoroughly and allow to drain. Remove your Callistemon from its pot and tease out a few of the roots. Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the roots when planting to help plants establish quicker. Place your tree in the hole at the same level at the pot, refill, firm, and water well. Mulch around the base of the plant. Plants can also be grown in a pot using a good quality soil-based compost. Aftercare Advice for your Bottlebrush Although drought-tolerant, Callistemon requires regular watering. Feed with a general-purpose liquid feed in the growing season and top dress in the spring. Callistemon can get out of hand under glass so restrictive pruning may be necessary to keep their shape. Half-hardy in the UK, so in very exposed sites, a fleece cover and mulch will be required to see them safely through the winter, or potted plants can be moved to a cool conservatory or greenhouse. Pruning Advice for Callistemon Lightly prune after flowering to keep them under control, cutting just behind the spent bloom. Callistemons in general don't like hard-pruning, so just remove spent flowerheads immediately after flowering, or trim new growth to maintain shape.