Bottlebrush Viminalis vs. Bottlebrush Citrinus

Physical Attributes

• As its name implies, the branches of the weeping bottlebrush hang down loosely as the trunk stretches 20 feet tall. Its spikes of spring-blooming red flowers are 6 inches long and the green leaves 4 inches in length. By contrast, the crimson bottlebrush reaches its maximum height at 12 feet, with a crown that spreads up to 9 feet wide. The shrub is also called lemon bottlebrush, a reference to the leaves that release a citrus scent when crushed. Both Callistemon species produce red flowers.

Hardiness

• Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8B to 10, the crimson bottlebrush is slightly more cold tolerant than the weeping species, a plant that thrives in zones 9 to 11. The average minimum temperature in region 8B is 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In zone 9, 20 degrees F is the coldest it normally gets.

Cultural Requirements

• While crimson bottlebrush is drought resistant, the weeping species thrives in consistent moisture. Both plants need exposure to full sun and well-drained soil. The two Callistemon species also benefit from fertilization, says the University of Florida. Branch pruning prevents weeping bottlebrush from interfering with traffic; sucker removal keeps the crimson bottlebrush in good form.

Growing Range

• Weeping bottlebrushes are native to northeastern Australia, where they grow naturally along the coast from Cape York to New South Wales. Also an Australian species, crimson bottlebrush originates farther south, appearing on the coastal regions of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Both plants have become acclimated to Florida, where the warm whether makes it possible for them to thrive.