Pink Alma Bottlebrush

Pink Alma Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis 'Pink Alma') is a compact, no fuss native shrub, 1.5m to 2m high and 1m to 1.5m wide, with an open, slightly weeping habit. Soft mid-pink brushes appear from autumn through to spring in most places, and the new growth comes in a bright russet pink. It suits a feature planting or a narrow informal screen.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers through the cool months. Soft pink brushes open from autumn through to spring in most places, when many other shrubs are resting.
• Coloured new growth. Fresh leaves emerge a russet pink, so the shrub has interest between flushes of bloom.
• A graceful habit. The open, slightly weeping branches soften a fence line or a hard edge without needing to be clipped into shape.
• Narrow enough for most gardens. At 1m to 1.5m wide it fits where larger bottlebrushes would crowd a path or the neighbour's fence.
• Adaptable. It copes with a wide range of positions and soils, and established plants tolerate both frost and drought.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Set it where afternoon sun shines through the new growth, which lights up the russet pink leaves. A single plant makes a soft focal point, and three in a group make a stronger statement.

Informal screening. Plant 1.2m apart in a row for a soft, flowering screen to about 2m. The plants join up over a couple of seasons without losing their loose shape.

Mixed native borders. The compact size works alongside smaller native shrubs and grasses, where a bigger bottlebrush would take over.

Growing Pink Alma Bottlebrush in Australia

Position and climate. Pink Alma prefers full sun but tolerates some shade. Once established it tolerates both frost and drought, and it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Soil. Very adaptable about soil type. Mulch after planting to keep moisture in and soil temperature even while the young plant establishes.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer, then it can manage on rainfall in most districts. Feed once a year with a native fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to encourage another flush of colour. Take off the spent brushes and shorten the tips to keep the shape compact.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Alma Bottlebrush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is a modest start, but compact bottlebrushes settle fast in warm soil and soon begin to branch. Plants travel upright and are ready to plant on arrival.

Tube stock is supplied by our grower and is not always on hand. If the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is available again.

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 the full bottlebrush range
• Screening plants from 1m to 2m
• Frost hardy plants for cold gardens
• All about callistemon, the bottlebrush

Common questions

How big does Pink Alma get?

About 1.5m to 2m high and 1m to 1.5m wide, so it suits smaller gardens better than the big bottlebrushes.

When does it flower?

From autumn through to spring in most places. A prune straight after a flush of flowers encourages the next.

Will it handle frost?

Yes, once it is established. Give young plants a layer of mulch and some shelter through their first winters.