Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush)

Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush) is an upright evergreen shrub adorned with a profusion of slender spreading branches clothed with narrowly-elliptic, gray-green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), which emerge pink-tinged and attractively covered with dense silky hairs.

Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottlebrush) is an upright evergreen shrub adorned with a profusion of slender spreading branches clothed with narrowly-elliptic, gray-green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), which emerge pink-tinged and attractively covered with dense silky hairs. The plant is covered with dense spikes, 4 in. long (10 cm), of creamy-yellow flowers that resemble bottlebrushes in late spring and early summer. The blooms are a copious source of nectar for birds and hummingbirds. The flowers give way to woody fruit capsules which may persist for several years. Lemon Bottlebrush is a widely grown ornamental shrub which has performed exceptionally well in cultivation and is useful as a specimen or screen plant.

  • Grows up to 8-10 ft. tall and wide (240-300 cm).
  • Easily grown in acidic, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant but performs best with regular irrigation.
  • Great for foundations, hedges, wall-side borders, Mediterranean gardens, city gardens, coastal gardens or cottage gardens.
  • Virtually disease free and pest free. Watch for glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects when grown under glass. Deer resistant.
  • Little or no pruning. This plant responds well to periodic pruning to encourage a bushier growth habit.
  • Propagate by seed, sown onto moist compost at 16-18ºC, in spring, or by heeled semi-ripe cuttings of lateral shoots in late summer.
  • Native to Australia, Tasmania

Requirements

Hardiness 10
– 11

Heat Zones 10
– 11

Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Callistemon – Bottlebrushes, Melaleuca
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 8'
– 10'
(240cm
– 3m)
Spread 8'
– 10'
(240cm
– 3m)
Spacing 120″ (300cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Australia
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden