Evergreen Trees (Flowering) – Red Cluster Bottlebrush Tree

Botanical name: callistemon citrinus

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 3 – 16 ft in height and a 8 ft spread

Bloom time: spring/summer

Hardy zone: zones 8-11

Flower color: red/pink/white

Foliage color: green

Growth rate: less than a ft a year

Pruning instructions: shape as needed, save heavy pruning for the late winter

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: ornamental use

Light needs: at least 6 hours of sun a day

Special features: attracts pollinators

Watering instructions: water when the top 3 inches of soil are dry

Fertilizing instructions : use 6-6-6 once in the spring, once in the summer, and once in the fall

Best time to plant: early spring

Best type of soil: adapts to all kinds of soil

Companion plants: indian hawthorn, sweet potato vine, asiatic jasmine

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets when ingested

Invasive species: no