Crimson Bottle Brush is a broadleaf evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree in the myrtle family that is native to Australia and South Wales. In its native habitat, it can reach 10 to 15 feet high with a similar width and is often grown as a hedge. However, it is more commonly trained as a 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide shrub. The yellow or red flowers occur in long bottle brush-looking clusters in spring and again in fall. There are several cultivars available with different colored flowers. Leaves have a lemony scent when bruised. The genus name comes from the Greek melas meaning black and leukos meaning white because the trees often have a black trunk and white branches. The species name means "related to citrus", referring to the fragrant leaves. Crimson Bottle Brush prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun and established plants are drought tolerant. It is winter hardy down to 20 or 25 degrees F. (USDA Zones 9-10), but would need winter protection in Zone 8. It may be difficult to find for sale. Crimson Bottle Brush is also listed under a synonym, the older name for the genus, Callistemon . These plants are very tolerant of pruning and old plants will regenerate if pruned back hard into the old wood. The plant has a moderate growth rate moving from a large shrub to small multiple-trunked tree that with patient pruning, can be trained as a single trunk small tree. The species M. citrina does best on the coast of North Carolina. The species M. rigidus has had more success in the Piedmont. It can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors in a bright cool sun room or greenhouse if conditions require. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known insect or disease problems. Watch for spider mites and scale, particularly on indoor plants. Leaf yellowing can occur when the soil is high in alkaline or salt.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
One to three inch, alternate, simple, bright green leaves with a prominent, ribbed mid vein. Emits a lemon odor when crushed. Lance-shaped to narrow-elliptic leaves (to 3 inches long) emerge coppery before maturing to medium green.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Bright crimson flowers on 4 to 5 inch, erect, terminal inflorescence with a bottle brush-like appearance. Up to 40 individual flowers with very long, bushy stamens. Flowers bloom intermittently throughout the year in frost-free areas, but more typically in summer in colder climates. Flowers are attractive to bees.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Woody cup-shaped capsules about 1/4 inch long and wide.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Eastern and Southeastern Australia
Distribution
India, California, Louisiana, Yugoslavia
Wildlife value
Birds use the species as a source of food (seed and nectar).
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Leaves are a tea substitute with a refreshing flavor.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Meadow
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Flowering Tree; Small Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #deer resistant #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #flowering tree #upright form #perennial #small tree #shrub #flowering shrub #drought tolerant #pruning tolerant #fragrant leaves