This compact shrub grows from 1 to 3 m tall and is able to tolerate quite wet conditions. Callistemon subulatus is a freely flowering plant which produces red flower spikes over summer. Light pruning after flowering will keep the shrub compact. This large bottlebrush is widely cultivated. Plants produce bright red flower spikes which are very rich in nectar and attract many birds.
Plants grow in a variety of soils, but can be frost tender, especially when young.
Weeping Bottlebrush grows 5 to 7 m tall. Callistemon cultivars A large number of bottlebrush cultivars have been developed, many of them hybrids with either Callistemon viminalis or Callistemon citrinus as one parent. Callistemon 'Harkness' , Callistemon 'Hannah Ray' and Callistemon 'Dawson River Weeper' are large shrubs growing 4 to 5 m tall. All have an attractive weeping habit. Callistemon 'Little John' is a dwarf cultivar which produces masses of flowers, and which has blue-green foliage.