27 Striking Bottlebrush Varieties for Vibrant Gardens

Low-maintenance shrubs that bloom in colorful spikes and attract bees and hummingbirds.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 4, 2025

Low-maintenance shrubs that bloom in colorful spikes and attract bees and hummingbirds.

27 Types of Flowering Bottlebrush Plants For Your Garden

Bottlebrush plants are world-renowned for their spectacular, eye-catching flower spikes and vibrant evergreen foliage. Native to Australia but cherished in gardens across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, these shrubs and small trees belong primarily to the genera Callistemon and Melaleuca. Their whimsical brushes not only provide visual drama but also attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, making them an environmental asset as well as a decorative focal point for your landscape.

This guide introduces 27 distinct bottlebrush varieties, highlighting their unique features, growing needs, and landscaping uses. Whether youâre seeking a show-stopping centerpiece, a compact border shrub, or a pollinator magnet, thereâs a bottlebrush for every garden style.

Benefits of Bottlebrush Plants

Vibrant and unique flowers appear in spring and summer, in shades from red to pink, yellow, white, and cream.
Attract pollinatorsâthanks to their nectar-rich blooms, bottlebrushes draw bees, butterflies, and birds to the garden.
Evergreen foliage provides year-round texture and color.
Low maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
Many varieties offer deer and pest resistance.

Understanding Bottlebrush Varieties

Bottlebrushes are classified mainly among Callistemon and Melaleuca speciesâoccasionally, youâll see old scientific names and new ones used interchangeably. Hereâs a breakdown of the 27 top varieties gardeners love, grouped by unique features and landscape uses:

Featured Bottlebrush Varieties

Albany Bottlebrush (Melaleuca glauca / Callistemon glaucus)

Height: 4’â8′
Zones: 9â11
Foliage: Aromatic, celadon green, succulent-like leaves
Sun: Full sun
Use: Exceptional as a hedge or screen; dense, upright growth

Alpine Bottlebrush (Melaleuca paludicola / Callistemon sieberi)

Height: 3ââ6â
Zones: 7â11
Foliage: Fine, almost needle-like, lightly pubescent
Features: Compact form; great for smaller gardens or as hedges

Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus / Melaleuca citrina)

Height: 3ââ25â
Zones: Varies; thrives in frost-free areas
Flowers: Bright crimson-red; dense, dramatic blooms
Features: Lemon-scented when the leaves are crushed; used for erosion control
Uses: Popular around the world for mass plantings and hedging

Prickly Bottlebrush (Callistemon brachyandrus / Melaleuca brachyandra)

Height: 5ââ30â
Zones: 8â11
Flowers: Scarlet with yellowish-green tips; striking dual color
Foliage: Sharp, pointy leavesâwear gloves when pruning!
Features: Excellent drought resistance

Stiff Bottlebrush (Callistemon rigidus)

Height: 10ââ20â
Soil: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil
Resilience: Deer-resistant, pest-hardy
Form: Upright, bushy with firm branches

Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)

Height: 20ââ30â
Features: Graceful, drooping branches give a âweepingâ look
Spread: Up to 15â wide
Soil: Takes loamy, sandy soils well
Use: Makes a dramatic specimen tree; tolerant of drought and deer

White Bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus)

Height: Up to 25â
Flowers: Creamy-white brushes
Form: Can be trained as a hedge or screen; minimal pruning needed

Lemon Bottlebrush (Callistemon pallidus)

Height: About 10â
Flowers: Lemon-colored spikes in summer
Features: Hardy and tolerant of most soils

Alpine Bottlebrush (Callistemon pityoides)

Height: 1ââ2â (alpine forms), up to 3ââ6â
Flowers: Pale yellow to creamy spikes
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant and withstands heavy pruning

Little John Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis âLittle Johnâ)

Height: 3â
Flowers: Deep red, compact spikes
Use: Perfect for small borders, containers, and landscaping in limited spaces

Hannah Ray (Callistemon viminalis âHannah Rayâ)

Height: Up to 12â
Features: Weeping, slender branches with abundant red flowers
Appeal: Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators in abundance

Reeveâs Pink (Callistemon viminalis âReeve’s Pinkâ)

Height: 6ââ9â
Flowers: Soft pink bottlebrush spikes
Landscape Impact: Brings a gentle color accent to the garden

Dawson River Weeper (Callistemon viminalis âDawson River Weeperâ)

Height: Dwarf habit
Flowers: Masses of vivid red spikes; blue-green foliage
Form: Neat, mounding, and compact

Mauve Mist (Callistemon viminalis âMauve Mistâ)

Flowers: Unique mauve-lavender color
Use: Softens bold plant groupings with pastel shades

Other Popular Bottlebrush Varieties

Kingâs Park Special â Large, vivid red flowers, great for wildlife gardens.
Claret Queen â Wine-red blooms; dense shrub form.
Captain Cook â Compact, vibrant red bottlebrushes; popular dwarf landscape staple.
Great Balls of Fire â Rounded habit with showy bright pink flowers.
Pink Champagne â Soft pink, fluffy spikes with silvery foliage.
Edgehill â Robust growth and bright crimson bloom spikes.
Perth Pink â Cheerful, bright pink bottlebrushes.
Rose Opal â Rose-colored, slender flower spikes.
Purple Cloud â Muted purple blooms; softens mixed plantings.
White Anzac â Creamy white, compact and bushy.
Neon Pink â Bright neon pink, standout for mass color effect.
Green Bottlebrush â Distinctive greenish flower spikes, subtle contrast in garden beds.
Candicans â Soft silvery-gray foliage; pale flower spikes.
Red Cluster â Vigorous growth and densely packed red flowers.

Comparison Table: Key Bottlebrush Varieties

Common Name	Botanical Name	Height	Main Flower Color	Best Use
Crimson	Callistemon citrinus	3’â25′	Red	Hedges, screens, erosion control
Prickly	Callistemon brachyandrus	5’â30′	Scarlet/yellow	Dry gardens, wildlife gardens
Weeping	Callistemon viminalis	20’â30′	Red	Specimen trees, water features
White	Callistemon salignus	Up to 25′	White	Hedges, privacy screens
Little John	Callistemon viminalis âLittle Johnâ	3′	Red	Borders, containers

Bottlebrush Cultivars: Hybrids and Specialty Forms

‘Harkness’ and ‘Hannah Ray’ are large, weeping cultivars excellent for dramatic landscaping.
‘Dawson River Weeper’: Dwarf size with blue-green leaves, suitable for mass planting and small spaces.
‘Reeve’s Pink’: Compact, pink-flowering, well-suited for cold areas and warmer climates alike.
‘Mauve Mist’: Features pastel blooms, ideal for softer landscapes or as color companions to bold reds and yellows.

Growing and Caring for Bottlebrush Plants

Most bottlebrush varieties share similar cultural requirements:

Sun: Thrives in full sun for best flowering.
Soil: Well-drained, occasionally sandy or loamy soil types.
Water: Drought-tolerant after establishment; water during prolonged dry spells.
Hardiness: Most do well in USDA Zones 8â11; check individual species for colder or warmer zone tolerance.
Pruning: Light shaping after flowering preserves bloom potential for next year.
Pests/Diseases: Generally resistant to pests and diseases, especially deer and drought.
Mulching: Helps retain moisture and protect roots in high heat or cold snaps.

Landscape Uses: Where to Plant Bottlebrush

Focal points and specimen trees (especially weeping forms).
Borders, hedges, and privacy screens.
Erosion control on riverbanks and inclines (notable in Crimson Bottlebrush).
Mass plantings for color and pollinator gardens.
Containers and patios (compact types like ‘Little John’).

Tips for Selecting Bottlebrush Varieties

Match plant size to your gardenâs space and height requirements.
Pick flower color to coordinate with surrounding plantings.
Select for cold hardiness if gardening in cooler climates.
Choose drought-tolerant or deer-resistant types where required.
Emphasize aromatic foliage or distinctive leaf color for year-round interest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do bottlebrush plants grow best?

Bottlebrushes thrive in full sun and are ideally suited to warm, coastal, and tropical or subtropical climates (USDA Zones 8â11). They require well-drained soils and perform exceptionally in regions with mild winters.

Are bottlebrush roots invasive?

Bottlebrush plants typically have non-invasive, adventitious roots, with the largest trees developing bigger root systems that may affect nearby structures if planted too close. Most home garden varieties are safe for urban and suburban planting.

How do I encourage more blooms on my bottlebrush?

Maximize blooming by planting in full sun, using light fertilizer in spring, and pruning lightly after flowers fade. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce next seasonâs flowers.

Are bottlebrushes deer-resistant?

Many popular speciesâespecially Callistemon citrinus, rigidus, and viminalisâare highly deer-resistant due to their tough, aromatic foliage.

Do bottlebrush plants attract pollinators?

Yes, their nectar-rich blooms are magnets for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the flowering season.

Summary: Why Grow Bottlebrush?

With their exuberant, colorful displays and robust evergreen structure, bottlebrush varieties can transform any ordinary landscape into a garden of lasting interest. Their low-maintenance requirements, resilience to drought and pests, and enthusiastic support for pollinators make them essential additions to both ornamental and habitat-focused gardens. Selecting the right variety ensures four seasons of texture, blooms, and vibrant life in your outdoor spaces.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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