- Mature height
- 4m to 8m (approx.)
- Mature width
- 4m to 5m
Callistemon viminalis carries masses of vivid red bottlebrush flowers on gracefully weeping branches, and flowers heavily enough through spring and summer to colour an entire boundary. It is the classic weeping bottlebrush and among the most reliable nectar trees in Australian gardens.
Callistemon viminalis grows to 4 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 5 metres wide at 50 centimetres to 1 metre per year, which is fast. It can be run as a tall informal screen, lifted to a single trunk as a weeping feature tree, or mass planted for civic and rural screening.
This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor soils, extended dry and periodic waterlogging once established. It grows in full sun and needs only a trim after flowering to stay dense.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Callistemon viminalis
How big does Callistemon viminalis grow?
It reaches 4 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 5 metres wide, developing a weeping habit with age. It can be maintained as a large shrub or trained to a single trunk as a small tree.
When does Callistemon viminalis flower?
The heaviest flushes come through spring and summer, with sporadic flowering at other times of year. Flowering is dense enough to cover much of the canopy.
How fast does the weeping bottlebrush grow?
Fast, at 50 centimetres to 1 metre per year, which makes it one of the quicker native options for establishing a screen or feature tree.
Does Callistemon viminalis attract birds?
Yes. The nectar-rich red flowers are heavily worked by honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees, and the dense weeping branching shelters small birds.
Is Callistemon viminalis frost hardy?
Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, suiting it to inland tablelands as well as coastal gardens.
Does it tolerate wet ground?
Yes. Callistemon viminalis naturally occurs along watercourses and handles periodic waterlogging better than most screening trees.
How far apart should I plant it for a screen?
Plant 2 to 3 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 4 to 5 metres apart as individual weeping feature trees.