Feathery Mist™ One-Sided Bottlebrush

Feathery Mist One-Sided Bottlebrush (Calothamnus hirsutus 'Cal10') is a small Western Australian native shrub grown as much for its soft, feathery grey green foliage as for its bright red claw-shaped flowers in spring and summer. It grows to about 60cm high and 70cm wide, a neat architectural mound that suits modern landscapes. Bred by Ozbreed from a tough sandplain species, this form copes with heavier soil, periodic wet and humidity better than the straight species.

Why you'll love it

• Feathery, architectural foliage. Fine needle-like leaves give a soft texture that contrasts with strappy leaf plants and broad leaved shrubs.
• Bright red claw flowers. Spring and summer flowers sit along one side of the stem, which is where the common name comes from, and honeyeaters feed on them.
• Better on heavier ground. Selected for its tolerance of moderately heavy soil and periodic wet, where the species would struggle.
• Small enough for anywhere. At 60cm by 70cm it fits a planter box, a narrow border or a verge.
• Prune it or leave it. It can be left to its natural shape or tidied every few years.

Where it works best

Mass and mixed planting. Plant 60cm apart, two to four plants per square metre, for a soft continuous mound that mixes well with lomandras and dianellas.

Borders along fences and driveways. A single row at 50cm spacing, two to three plants per linear metre, makes a low feathery edge.

Slopes, retaining walls and planter boxes. The compact root system suits raised beds and planter boxes, and the mound softens the top of a retaining wall. Pruned, it also serves as a ground cover.

Growing Feathery Mist One-Sided Bottlebrush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with full sun giving the tightest growth and most flower. It is grown across New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, so warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates all suit it. It copes with humidity better than the species, though Queensland is not on Ozbreed's list for it.

Soil. It prefers reasonable drainage, but unlike most Western Australian natives it accepts moderately heavy soil with periodic wet spells. Avoid ground that stays waterlogged.

Water and feed. Water through establishment, then it manages on rainfall in most years. Fertilise at planting with a native slow release fertiliser, and again if an older plant needs rejuvenating.

Pruning. Leave it natural or prune to tidy it; a harder cut every five years or so to bring the height down is all it needs. Trim after flowering so you do not remove the next season's buds.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Feathery Mist One-Sided Bottlebrush as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes suit a large mass planting and establish quickly in warm soil, while the 140mm plants already show the feathery mound and flower in their first season. The foliage is light and flexible, so the plants travel without damage.

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

• Browse our Australian native shrubs
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More plants for retaining walls and slopes
• A step by step guide to a low maintenance native garden

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 60cm apart for a massed effect, or 50cm in a single row for a border. That is two to four plants per square metre, or two to three per linear metre.

Is it the same as a callistemon bottlebrush?

No. Calothamnus is a related Western Australian genus. The flowers sit on one side of the stem rather than all around it, the foliage is finer, and at 60cm it is far smaller than most callistemons.

Will it cope with clay?

Moderately heavy soil with periodic wet spells, yes, which is unusual for a Western Australian native. Ground that stays waterlogged for weeks is still too much.