Scarlet Flame™ Bottlebrush

Scarlet Flame Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis 'CC19') is an ultra-compact fine leaf bottlebrush bred by Ozbreed from Captain Cook. It grows 600mm to 1.5m high and 600mm to 1m wide depending on conditions, with rustic red new growth in autumn and spring and bright red flowers, so it stays colourful for longer.

Why you'll love it

• Colour for longer. Rustic red new growth in autumn and spring comes on top of the bright red flowers, so the plant earns its place for much of the year.
• Self cleaning. It tidies itself once flowering finishes, so there is no deadheading.
• Compact for a bottlebrush. It is sized for small gardens, low hedges and front borders, well short of the tall bottlebrushes that need regular reduction.
• Tough. It tolerates drought and cold and suits a wide variety of soils.
• Good for wildlife. Honeyeaters and lorikeets work bottlebrush flowers for nectar.

Where it works best

Low hedges. Plant 70cm apart, which is one to two plants per linear metre, and prune once or twice a year after flowering for a tidy line. Clipped hedges stay towards the low end of the size range.

Specimen shrubs. A single plant in a front garden bed gives a rounded shape with red flowers and red new growth to anchor a planting.

Mass planting. Plant 80cm apart, about one and a half plants per square metre. Ozbreed's range is one to three per square metre.

Growing Scarlet Flame Bottlebrush in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists it for Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and it tolerates drought and cold, which suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Size depends on conditions: expect the top of the range in good soil with regular water and the bottom in poor, dry ground.

Soil. It suits a wide variety of soils. Plant into a well mulched bed, with chunky mulch if possible.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks until established. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring if you want stronger growth.

Pruning. For a tidy hedge, prune to shape once or twice a year after flowering. For a natural shape, prune every two to three years.

What to expect when it arrives

We list Scarlet Flame Bottlebrush as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are economical for a long hedge, and the 200mm plants give a more developed start. Plants travel upright and settle quickly, with new growth within weeks in warm weather. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is not always available, so a size shows as sold out when no grower has it. The notify button on this page 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

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

Common questions

How big will it get?

Between 600mm and 1.5m high and 600mm to 1m wide, depending on conditions. Good soil and regular water push it to the top of that range.

When should I prune it?

After flowering. Once or twice a year keeps a hedge tidy, or every two to three years if you prefer a natural shape.

Is it safe around pets?

Yes. Bottlebrush is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it suits family gardens.