Callistemon Prolific

Callistemon 'Prolific' (Callistemon viminalis 'Prolific') is a compact weeping bottlebrush that flowers harder than the straight species while staying around 3m tall and 2m wide. Deep red brushes cover the arching branches in spring and repeat in autumn, and honeyeaters find them within days. It is fast, native, and forgiving of both dry ground and wet.

Why you'll love it

• Two flowering seasons. Heavy red brushes in spring with a solid repeat in autumn, plus scattered flowers between in warm gardens.
• Compact for a bottlebrush. At about 3m by 2m it screens a fence line without the bulk of the full sized weeping form.
• Birds, bees and butterflies. Honeyeaters and lorikeets work the flowers hard, one of the surest ways to bring birds into a suburban garden.
• Dry ground or wet. Drought tolerant once established, yet it also copes with soil that stays damp, which is an unusual combination.
• Coastal and heat tolerant. Salt tolerant and heat tolerant, so exposed coastal boundaries and hot inland blocks both work.

Where it works best

Screening and hedging. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a dense screen, or leave it alone and let it reach its full 3m.

Mass planting. Across a large bed or a batter, 1.2m spacing gives continuous weeping cover that holds soil and asks almost nothing.

Feature planting. As a single plant the weeping habit shows properly, and larger sizes can be lifted into a small standard tree.

Growing Callistemon Prolific in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, and part shade thins the display. Tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and arid or semi-arid gardens all suit it. It takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland and cold southern gardens want a hardier native.

Soil. Not fussy at all. It grows in clay, sand and poor ground, and tolerates seasonally wet feet better than most shrubs. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the stem.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring, since standard fertilisers can damage plants in this group.

Pruning. Trim straight after each flush, taking the spent brushes and about 100mm of growth behind them. That stops woody seed capsules building along the stems. It reshoots from old wood, so a neglected shrub can be renovated hard.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in ten sizes, from tube stock to 100L. Tubes and the 140mm, 200mm and 250mm packs are the value choice for a long screen: a season slower to close, but quick to establish. The 300mm and 400mm pots are the middle ground, and the 25L to 100L sizes arrive already branched with real height.

Plants are packed to travel upright, and some flower drop in transit is normal. Expect fresh growth within four to six weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full callistemon care guide for pruning and feeding.
• Compare varieties across the callistemon range.
• Browse more bird attracting plants.
• See other screening plants from 2m to 4m.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

One metre apart in a single row. Closer spacing does not close the gap faster and makes watering harder.

Can I keep it at 2m?

Yes. Two trims a year, taken after each flowering flush, hold it at 2m to 2.5m and keep the base furnished. It also shoots from old wood, so you can cut it back hard if it gets away.

How much frost will it take?

Light frost only, once established. Young plants are more tender, so in a marginal district plant in spring and give the first two winters some shelter.

Western Australia: this species has escaped from gardens and naturalised in WA, where it competes with local bushland plants. We do not recommend it for gardens in the south west of WA. Please choose a local alternative.