Callistemon citrinus
| Callistemon citrinus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |    |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 15' |
| Width: | 8' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Callistemon citrinus (common name: crimson bottlebrush)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in February in a shaded part of the greenhouse[1]. Cover with paper and stand the pots in a few centimetres of water until germination takes place[2]. Remove from the water tray as soon as the seed germinates. Seedlings are prone to damp off and must be watered with care and kept well ventilated[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood,7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor results[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil, tolerating both water-logging and drought[3]. Requires a fertile well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun[2]. Succeeds in a hot position in dry soils. Accepts very wet conditions in Australian gardens[4]. Prefers an acid soil, not doing very well on chalk[5].
This species requires cold greenhouse treatment in most of Britain but it is possibly hardy in the milder areas of the country although even there it is best grown against a wall[6][7]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[4]. Another report says that it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c in Britain[8] and grows well in warm positions in southern gardens. Small-leaves forms of the plant are hardier than the type and can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c[3]. The cultivar 'Splendens' is said to be particularly good in Britain and is possibly more hardy than the type[9].
The species C. linearis, C. rigidus and C. subulatus are all closely allied to this species and are somewhat hardier[7].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
The leaves vary considerably in shape and are lemon scented[5][8]. The leaves, when pressed, emit a refreshing scent of lemon[10].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.
Habitat: Swamps and along the sides of rocky streams[3].
Edibility: The leaves are a tea substitute and have a delightfully refreshing flavour[11].
Usage: A tan dye is obtained from the flowers, it does not require a mordant, and is green when mordanted[12]. Other members of this genus can also be used[12].
A cinnamon dye is obtained from the leaves[12]. Other members of this genus can also be used[12].
Wood - hard, heavy, tough, close grained, but too small for economic use. Used for tool handles etc[13]. It is also used for fuel[14].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: C. lanceolatus.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.