Bottlebrush Tree, Callistemon ‘Red Cluster’ 9″ pot

The bottlebrush plant 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 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.

There is an upright species and one that has a weeping form. The upright type can also make a nice screen or unclipped hedge.

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.