Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’ is a beloved dwarf cultivar of the Australian native Bottlebrush. It is a compact, evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height and width of about 1 metre, sometimes up to 1.5 metres wide in ideal conditions. It is highly valued for its dense, narrow, blue-green foliage, which has a slightly soft or ‘furry’ appearance. In spring and often again in autumn, it produces masses of striking, dark red, cylindrical bottlebrush flowers. As a low-maintenance, bird-attracting native, it is an excellent choice for low hedging, borders, rockeries, small gardens, and container planting.
Care Tips:
- Position: Performs best in full sun, which encourages the most prolific flowering. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced.
- Soil: Highly adaptable and will tolerate a wide range of soils, including poor ones, but thrives in well-drained, moist conditions. It has good tolerance to coastal conditions and temporary waterlogging.
- Watering: Very hardy and drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly after planting for the first 12 weeks. Established plants require minimal watering, but benefit from a deep soak during very hot and dry periods.
- Pruning: Prune immediately after the main flowering flush (in late spring/early summer) to remove spent flower spikes. This helps maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourages a repeat bloom in autumn.
- Fertilising: Use a slow-release native fertiliser (low phosphorus) in spring, especially if the soil is poor, to support healthy growth and flowering.
