ShrubsThe crimson bottlebrush is a striking Australian shrub with cylindrical, vivid red flower spikes that look exactly like bottle brushes — hence the name. The flowers are packed with nectar, attracting bees and birds. The narrow, leathery leaves release a lemon scent when bruised. A spectacular container plant for sunny terraces.
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Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 200–400 cm
- Spread
- 150–300 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 8–11
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Flower colors
- red
- Wildlife value
- bees, birds, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Place in full sun in a warm, sheltered spot in well-drained soil. Water moderately in summer and sparingly in winter. Not hardy in cool climates — overwinter in a cool, bright, frost-free spot (5-10°C). Avoid lime-rich fertilisers.
Pruning tips
Prune immediately after flowering by shortening the flowering branches by a third. This encourages new blooms and keeps the plant compact. Do not cut into old, bare wood — the plant recovers poorly. Remove dead and crossing branches.
Good companions
TreesGrevillea robusta
Silky Oak
The silky oak is a fast-growing, imposing Australian tree with finely divided, fern-like foliage and striking, one-sided orange-yellow flower plumes from April to June that are rich in nectar. As a young tree it can be kept as a container plant for its graceful leaf texture. In subtropical climates it grows into a majestic specimen.
TreesOlea europaea
Olive Tree
The olive tree is a majestic, long-lived tree with distinctive silver-green foliage and a gnarled trunk that grows increasingly characterful with age. In warm climates it produces edible olives following a modest white bloom in June. As a container plant it can bring Mediterranean charm to cooler regions too.
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
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