Candy Burst™ Bottlebrush

Candy Burst Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp. 'CNU06') is a semi compact, fine leaved bottlebrush that covers itself in dark pink brushes in spring. It grows to about 1m to 1.2m high and wide, holds a tidy form with little or no pruning, and takes drought and frost once established. Bred by Ozbreed as a low maintenance feature and hedging plant, it suits most soils and most of the mainland.

Why you'll love it

• Dark pink flowers in spring. A burst of rich pink brushes rather than the usual red, which sets it apart in a native garden.
• Tidy without pruning. The semi compact habit holds a neat rounded shape on its own, so it can go years between cuts.
• Fine foliage. Narrow leaves give a softer texture than the broad leaved bottlebrushes, and a denser look in a hedge.
• Birds and bees. The spring flowers feed honeyeaters, native bees and butterflies, and callistemon is not toxic to cats or dogs.
• Drought and frost tolerant. Once established it copes with a dry summer and a frosty winter in most soil types.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 70cm apart in a single row, one to two plants per metre, for a flowering hedge of about 1m. At that spacing the plants knit together within two seasons and a trim every two years keeps the line.

Mass planting. Set 1m apart in offset rows, about one plant per square metre, for a bank of spring colour that needs almost no attention afterwards.

Feature, specimen and contrast planting. A single plant at a path corner or a gateway gives a 1m dome of pink in spring, and the fine foliage contrasts well with strappy leaf plants and silver groundcovers.

Growing Candy Burst Bottlebrush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with full sun giving the most flower. It is listed for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and southern Queensland, which covers subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Ozbreed is still testing it in northern Queensland and the ACT, so in the tropics and on the cold tablelands treat it as a trial.

Soil. Most soil types, from sand to clay. Good drainage helps it establish, but it is one of the less fussy bottlebrushes about heavy ground.

Water and feed. Water as required for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then let it go in all but long dry spells. Mulch with a chunky mulch. Feeding is optional; a low phosphorus native slow release fertiliser in spring is the safe choice.

Pruning. If ever required, prune every three to four years for a natural shape or every two years for a tidy hedge, straight after the spring flowers. Pruning is not needed for the plant's sake, but it does encourage denser, bushier growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Candy Burst Bottlebrush as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the value choice for a long hedge and catch up within two seasons. The 140mm packs suit a massed bed, and the 200mm plants give a hedge line in the first year. Plants travel upright and settle within a few weeks in warm soil.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our callistemon care guide
• Browse the full callistemon range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• Compare hedging and screening plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 70cm apart in a single row. Go to 1m for an informal, open row where each plant reads as a mound.

When does it flower?

Spring, in one main burst. Pruning straight after the flowers protects the following year's display.

Is it suited to Queensland?

Southern Queensland, yes. Northern Queensland is still under testing, so treat it as a trial there.