I love this tree for its vivid red "brushes" and weeping habit and also for the fact that the beautiful blooms attract bees, butterflies, and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird! This tree reminds me of another favorite of mine, the Weeping Willow (Salix sp.), but the bright red blooms of the bottlebrush keep it at number one on my list of all time favorites!

Callistemon viminalis is native to New South Wales, Australia, and can attain heights to 30 feet at maturity, but most stay at around 15 to 20 feet in height. Young specimens are susceptible to frost damage so protection is needed during the winter months if frost is predicted, but once they attain maturity, frost or the occasional freeze doesn't seem to do much damage. Weeping Bottlebrush can be grown as a shrub or hedge or as a single specimen plant and does very well in the sandy Florida soil. It fares best in full sun, but it can take part shade as well. Blooms just may not be as prolific if grown in a more shady location.

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