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. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 90 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush is regular, moderate watering. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
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. Overall it 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
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush with other plants that enjoy the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Great Balls of Fire Bottlebrush
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