Rocky Rambler Bottlebrush

Rocky Rambler Bottlebrush (Callistemon pearsonii 'Rocky Rambler') is a neat groundcover bottlebrush that stays about 30cm high and spreads to roughly 80cm. Its fine, stiff, almost spiny foliage opens in fluffy pale pink tufts, and in spring it carries large, brilliant red brushes spangled with gold. It is a tidy native for rockeries, pots and weed suppression.

Why you'll love it

• Brilliant spring flowers. Large red brushes with gold flecks cover the plant in spring and draw nectar-eating birds.
• Pale pink new tufts. The fine foliage emerges in fluffy pale pink, giving colour outside the flowering season.
• Properly compact. At 30cm high and 80cm wide it stays in scale in a rockery, a pot or the front of a border.
• Suppresses weeds. The stiff, dense foliage forms a low mat that gives weeds little room.
• Tough and adaptable. It grows in all types of soil, in full sun or dappled shade, and established plants tolerate frost and drought.

Where it works best

Groundcover and weed suppression. Plant 60cm apart to knit into a continuous low cover within a couple of seasons. Mulch between the young plants until they meet.

Rockeries and borders. The low, neat habit sits well among rocks and along the front of a bed, where the red flowers show clearly.

Pots and containers. One plant fits comfortably in a medium pot on a patio or beside a door, and the compact size means it rarely outgrows its home.

Coastal and wildlife gardens. It suits coastal plantings, and the red brushes bring birds close to a window or path.

Growing Rocky Rambler Bottlebrush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun is best, and dappled shade is tolerated. Established plants tolerate frost and drought, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. The parent form comes from the Blackdown Tablelands in north Queensland.

Soil. Adaptable to all soil types. Mulch to keep moisture in and suppress weeds while the plants knit together.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until it is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it manages on rainfall in most gardens. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Tip prune while the plant is young to encourage dense growth, then give it an annual light clip to keep it neat.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rocky Rambler Bottlebrush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to cover a larger area, while the potted packs give a quicker finish in a rockery or border. Plants travel upright and settle in within a few weeks in warm soil.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

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 all bottlebrush varieties
• Plants for rockeries
• Groundcovers for low maintenance gardens
• All about callistemon, the bottlebrush

Common questions

How far apart should I plant Rocky Rambler?

About 60cm apart for a continuous cover. The plants spread to roughly 80cm each, so they meet within a couple of seasons.

Does it need much pruning?

Very little. Tip prune while it is young to build density, then give it a light clip once a year.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. Its compact size suits a container. Keep it in full sun, water regularly until it is established and feed in spring with a slow release native fertiliser.