Description
The "Red Rocket" cultivar of the Bottlebrush hybrid of Melaleuca citrina (Syn. Callistemon) captivates gardeners with its striking red new growth, providing year-round colour even in its rare flowering state. As a medium shrub of narrow habit, it's the perfect specimen for hedging or creating defined garden borders. Native to Australia, its hardy nature ensures it thrives with minimal fuss, while its vibrant foliage remains a talking point.
Position the "Red Rocket" in a sunny location with well-conditioned soil – those with sandy soils should boost its texture and nutrient content with a quality soil conditioner. Once fully established, this resilient plant mostly requires watering during the peaks of Bunuru (summer) heat waves. Early Makuru (winter) is an ideal time to apply a native-plant fertiliser, and occasional pruning post-new growth will maintain its neat hedging appearance.
| Botanical Name | Melaleuca citrina (Syn. Callistemon citrinus) |
| Common Name | Lemon Bottlebrush |
| Cultivar | Red Rocket |
|
Classification |
Medium Natives |
| PBR Name | |
| Origin | Eastern Australia |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Height | 1 - 1.5 M |
| Width | 1 - 1.5 M |
| Light | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy or loamy soils. |
| Water Requirement | Drought-tolerant once established, but will drop leaves to conserve energy if severely dehydrated. Water moderately through hot weather for best results. |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Flower Colour | |
| Flower Time | |
| Toxicity |
Disclaimer:
Information is intended as a guide only.
Unless otherwise stated, all images are examples only and not photos of the actual plants for sale.
Licensed images are used with permission of the license holder.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.