Callistemon X viminalis 'Little John'
Bottlebrush Little John
Description
The 'Little John' exhibits very dense, compact growth to 4' x 5' slowly. It produces clusters of blood red flowers and blue green foliage. A very regular, almost symmetrical, spiral patten of dense oval leaves is shown along the stems.
Maintenance Tips
Callistemon x viminalis ‘Little John’ is a dwarf variety of the bottle brush tree. It has a dense round form with blue-green foliage, narrow point leaves, and red bottlebrush flowers that will bloom for the majority of the year. It slowly grows to about 4-5’ tall and wide and is resistant to many pests and diseases. Hard and frequent pruning is not necessary due to its size and growth rate, but thinning out dead or long branches can be useful to help shape or reduce size. They can even tolerate some hedging to shape as well. Spent blooms will fade to a dark red and can be removed once they have accumulated to give the plant a cleaner look.
Plant Type
Shrub
Height Range
3-6'
Flower Color
Red
Flower Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Intermittent
Leaf Color
Blue Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
n/a
Fruit Season
n/a
Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
Growth Rate
Slow
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
Attracts Bees
Design Styles
Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Unusual Shape
Seasonal Interest
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Location Uses
Entry, Parking Strip, Patio, Park, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walkways
Special Uses
Container, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Small Spaces
Attracts Wildlife
Hummingbirds
Water Saving Tip:
Mulching and adding compost to soil can minimize evaporation and help soil absorb and store water.