Callistemon viminalis (Soland. ex Gaertn.) G. Don ex Loud. Weeping Bottlebrush This shrub or small bushy tree, from southeast Australia, has weeping branches, covered with silky hairs when young. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped. The bright red flowers appear in summer, sometimes also at other times of year. There are many named forms available commercially, some of which are more drought tolerant than the species. The names of these cultivars are confused, but it is worth looking out for one of the best forms, known as ‘Hen Camp Creek’ or ‘Luster Creek’, which makes a large shrub to 4m (13ft) high and wide, and has red flowers in spring.
Cultivation Grow in most soils, although it is not as tough as C. pallidus, disliking exposure to strong winds.
Height to 7m (23ft); spread to 5m (16ft). USZ 9–11, surviving -6.5°C (20°F) of overnight frost. Requires summer watering.

Photographs: Callistemon viminalis ‘McGaskilli’