A dense rounded bottlebrush grown chiefly for its brilliant red and pink new foliage flushes, with occasional red brushes. A colourful, hardy low hedge.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1.5 m H × 1.5 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush
Callistemon 'Great Balls of Fire' is a shrub in the Myrtaceae family, native to Australia. It reaches around 1.5 m tall and 1.5 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Red flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush
Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush suits warm-temperate, subtropical and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds.
Soil & planting
Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush does best in clay and free-draining soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in. For a screen, space plants about 90 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush does best with regular, moderate watering. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. For the first year, favour occasional deep watering over frequent shallow drinks so roots move into the surrounding soil.
Pruning & care
Prune Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Its ongoing care level is low maintenance.
Using Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush in the garden
Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush earns its place for a fast screen or informal hedge, a feature or specimen planting and drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden.
Companion planting & design
Build the planting around neighbours suited to the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate as Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush. Repeating the foliage or flower colour nearby will make the composition feel deliberate. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush
Plant Sale lists Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Use the interest form above to check current sizes, pricing and availability before ordering.
