Home»Shrubs»Bottle Brush
Little John Bottlebrush is the rough-cut name for Callistemon citrinus . It ’s a stocky evergreen shrub requiring little care or pruning and enjoys full sun .
Callistemon citrinus “ Little John ” is a dwarf plant mintage native to New South Wales and Victoria in Australia .
blood red bloom of Little John Dwarf Bottlebrush | image PlantCareToday.com
Callistemon citrinus is now classified as Melaleuca citrina .
It ’s a extremity of the Myrtle family and was one of the first Australian plants cultivated outside of the country . In 1986 it was Shrub of the Year in Australia .
Other commons names of this plant include :
Callistemon Citrinus ‘Little John’ Quick Care Tips
Little John Bottlebrush Care
Size and Growth
small John is a dwarfbottle brush plant , reach out a height of just 3′ feet . It circularize up to 5′ feet and has narrow-minded , blue - green leaves .
The gloomy - fleeceable leaves are evergreen , remaining on the flora throughout the year and perfect for today ’s smaller gardens .
The industrial plant has dense growth , cross in stems with multiple bent of foliage .
The leaf are egg - shaped and narrower near the fundament with a pointed end . When crushed , the leaves give off a citrus aroma .
Flowering and Fragrance
The brilliant red flowers turn from bottlebrush - comparable flower ear at the ends of the branches throughout the twelvemonth .
The peak spikes measure 2″ to 3″ inches in diameter and get 2″ to 4″ inches long .
Each spindle contains up to 80 bristle - like stamen .
The petals are small-scale , evaluate just ¼-inch . They come down off throughout the time of year as the flower old age .
The elongated blossom spikes give bottlebrush plants their usual name , as they resemble bottle brushes .
The plant flowers throughout the year , but most blooms arrive in November and December .
After flowering , cup - shape yield capsule appear .
The tiny fruit capsules grow in clusters along the base .
Light and Temperature
The Dwarf evergreen shrub grow best in full sunshine to light shade . It grows out of doors in USDA hardiness zones 8a and higher .
The ideal temperature of this plant ranges from 50 ° to 89 ° grade Fahrenheit .
In North America , the plant is suitable for out-of-door cultivation in Florida , California , and other piece of the South .
In cooler climate , the plant is cultivated in pots and bring indoors for the wintertime .
When grown as a houseplant , it may achieve the same height and spread .
Watering and Feeding
The plant needs moderate lacrimation , with dirt kept moist throughout most of the year .
Once established , Little John Dwarf Bottlebrush has good drought tolerance but still take good drain to prevent root rot and other industrial plant problems .
Young and potted plants may require piss once or twice hebdomadal , especially during the warmer months .
constituted outdoor plants should only require water during elongated period without rainwater . Moreover , they tolerate low humidity .
While fertilizer is n’t need , add irksome - dismission fertiliser granule in the give may further fuller growth in young plant .
Soil and Transplanting
The works grows well in slightly acidulent , moist , well - enfeeble soil with pH level between 5.6 and 7.5 .
Silt , loam , and clay soil are desirable surround for dwarf Little John Bottlebrush .
Transplant potted plants as demand at the starting signal of spring .
Replace the soil when transplanting and move to a larger pot if the roots become compacted .
Grooming and Maintenance
Dwarf Little John Bottlebrush is a slow - growing plant .
It may require occasional trimming to manage its shape and size .
While it ’s potential to prune the plant at any time of the year , cryptic pruning should occur before bound ontogeny come .
How To Propagate Callistemon Citrinus ‘Little John’
Propagate Little John Bottle Brush using semi - hardwood cuttings .
Callistemon Citrinus ‘Little John’ Pest or Diseases
Little John Dwarf Bottlebrush is deer - resistive and near disease - costless , and pest - free .
The main threats includescale insect , mealy bug , and wanderer mite .
These pests are more coarse when the plant is grown indoors .
If scale dirt ball come out , attempt to remove them manually . Scrape them off the plant life .
For spider mites , mealy bug , and graduated table worm not coming off easily , spray the flora with cool piss .
Allow the plant to dry before repeat this step .
After several sprayings , if the pestilence remain , treat the plant life with a homemade insect powder or a commercialNeem Oil pesticide .
Neem Oil is our best-loved born organic insecticide . Control aphids , mealy bug , plant scale , Japanese Beetles and more . It can also be used as a filth drench .
To try a homemade solvent , combine several teaspoonful of dish soap with water and spray the plant .
While many metal money of bottlebrush plants contain toxic substances in the yield , seeded player , or leafage , Little John is not a threat .
It ’s non - toxic and safe to grow around ducky and children .
However , citizenry with sensitive stomach may experience minor digestive issues after ingesting the fruits or parts of the plant .
Suggested Uses For Dwarf Little John Bottlebrush
In warm regions , expend the deer - immune Little John Bottle Brush to bring winter interest to any landscape surface area .
The gamey - immature leaves and bright - red flowers stand out during the colder months .
Its various compact sizing allow it to farm as a low hedge or foundation plant .
In cool regions , grow Little John Dwarf Bottlebrush in three - gal or orotund container .
Keep the flora outdoors during the summer and bring it indoors for the winter .
