Dwarf Red Bottlebrush Little John (Callistemon viminalis)- 1 TC plant/plug -3-6 in

YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE TISSUE CULTURE PLANT/PLUG. THE ROOT BALL WILL BE WRAPPED IN DAMP PAPER TOWEL AND A PLASTIC BAGGIE FOR SHIPMENT. 

The dwarf red bottlebrush, Callistemon viminalis "Little John" is a beautiful, dense, evergreen shrub grown for its dazzling blood-red flowers and evergreen foliage of narrow, blue-green leaves. Blooming throughout the year, the elongated flower spikes of this Australian native are surrounded by long, bristle-like stamens, giving then the look of bottlebrushes, hence the common name. The blooms are a copius source of nectar for birds and insects. They also make excellent cut flowers. A slow grower, "Little John" is perfect for small gardens. 


Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8a-11  
Plant Type:  Evergreen Flowering Shrub 
Height at Maturity:  2-3'
Width at Maturity:  3'
Spacing:  2-2.5' for solid hedges; 6'+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form:  Mounding, Dense
Growth Rate:  Moderate to Fast
Flower Color:  Deep Red
Flower Size:  3-4" in length
Flowering Period:  Spring to Summer and nearly year round in temperate regions
Flower Type:  Cylindrical, Bottlebrush-like
Fragrant Flowers:  No
Foliage Color:  Blue Green
Fragrant Foliage:  No
Berries:  No
Berry Color:  NA
Sun Needs:  Full to Mostly Sun, Some Shade is tolerated
Water Needs:  Average
Soil Type:  Clay (Amended), Loam, Sandy, Silty
Soil Moisture / Drainage:  Well Drained Moist 
Soil pH:  6.0 - 8.0 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care:  Average to Low
Attracts:  Visual Attention, Butterflies, Birds
Resistances:  Deer, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect


Description

Unlike larger and taller growing varieties, Little John is a dense, dwarf Bottlebrush ideal for use in smaller gardens or in groupings or as low hedges in larger landscape spaces and home foundation plantings. The attractive and citrus-scented ocean blue-green foliage stays green year round and is the perfect backdrop for the abundant and unusual looking, deep crimson red bottlebrush-like flower spikes that cover the plant in spring and continue well into summer. Year round good looks and exceptional drought tolerance and adaptability make Little John a fine selection for the landscape, and the butterflies and hummingbirds will appreciate you for planting it!


Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing only 2 to 3 feet tall and maybe 4 feet wide over time, the Better John Bottlebrush is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces and pots, planters and other containers, which can be overwintered indoors for those who live above Zone 8a. In larger landscape borders it's ideal for use in groupings, as a low border shrub along paths, walkways and landscape borders, as an erosion controller on slopes, or as a colorful low hedge. A fine addition to red theme gardens, tropical gardens, butterfly gardens, hummingbird gardens, coastal gardens, and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing:  2 to 2.5 feet apart for hedges; 6' or more apart for space between plants


Growing Preferences

The Little John Bottlebrush is exceptionally easy to grow in most any well-drained soil. Prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plants will require a moist but well-drained soil when young but established plants are very heat and drought tolerant. Good salt air tolerance. Bottlebrush have very few if any insect or disease problems, and deer won't touch them!