Bottlebrush
The bottlebrush (Callistemon rigidus) is a must for gardeners looking to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Named for its distinctive flowers, this evergreen has bright red flower spikes that are reminiscent of a bottle washer. The rigid bottlebrush is often sold as a shrub, but can grow as a tree up to 25 feet in height. With patience, it can even be trained as an espalier.
Rigid bottlebrush will thrive in full sun and can adapt to a variety of soils. It’s a very drought- and salt-tolerant plant. Suckers on the trunk should be removed periodically if a tree form is desired.
A note on names
It should be noted that there is ongoing debate regarding the botanical name of the many plants commonly called bottlebrush; several sources have moved these plants into the Melaleuca genus, but not all experts agree. The accepted name for the weeping form of bottlebrush is Melaleuca viminalis and the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas has predicted it to be invasive and not recommended by IFAS. The names of other bottlebrush plants are still being debated, and we will update this article with any changes.