Black Bamboo

Bottlebrush - Callistemon citrinus Splendens - bears its magnificent red flowers in early summer. It gets its name, of course, from the appearance of these flowers.

The plant hails from Australia, where it thrives in the more temerate / moist parts of the east coast and the south west of the country. It was introduced to Kew Gardens in the UK in 1789.

In its native environment some species of the plant can grow to 15 metres. The plant here more commonly reaches 4 - 8 metres.

The bottlebrush prefers full sun, and moist (lime-free) soil - watering is usually needed during the summer. It also needs frost protection during the winter.

Alternatively the bottlebrush works well as a large container plant.