Callistemon

A wee Callistemon Rigidus 'Bottlebrush' problem looking for a solution.
Over the past eight years it has bloomed very well indeed here in Scotland. Probably because I omitted to tell it that the RHS gives it a 2 star frost rating and it is in a sheltered south facing position.
This year was no exception as the following photo shows.


However I have never known anyone else with one in my area to ask for advice and none of the garden centres have been helpful as regards my wee ( or maybe it's big) problem as any who occasionally sell them only have small ones and don't bring them to maturity.

The problem is what do I do with the seed heads. Other years I have ignored them and I now have both old ones and the new ones from this years growth. Below -- The light brown ones are this years and the darker ones the old ones.


My questions are; 1. Should I remove them each year when they are new? 2. How far back can I prune without killing the plant. 3. Do I just ignore the 'old' ones and start pruning off the new ones from now on?

Your observations appreciated.
Kindest regards
Platty

 

Platty, your Callistemon can be pruned by at least a third in the winter and as for the seed capsules, you can pull them off and put them in a tin or bag and they will dry out and the seeds will fall out, 1000's of them. If you want more, sow them in Feb/march for a new batch. I have eight varieties including yellows, pinks, mauve and red (my avatar is Mauve Mist) all flower well and all produce seed and I grow a batch of each every year.

 

Lovely photos, Platty. Strongy, do you have the Flaming Fire that I put a question in about a couple of weeks ago?

 

I haven't heard of that cultivar LoL, I presume it is a variety of Citrinus Splendens, most of the new ones are but I will keep a look out for it.
Platty's one is a fantastic specimen showing just how hardy they are.

 

It's a Callistemon salignus 'Flaming Fire' and is protected under the Breeders Rights.

http://www.thepottedgarden.co.uk/plantscatalogue/view.asp?id=5338

 

Just looked it up LoL, the flowers are yellow/ green so I presume the "flaming " part must be the red of the young leaves.

 

Blimey L of L its a small world, the Potted Garden nursery is only about 2 miles from me, and I didn't know they had a website.

 

Thank you for your advice.
I will give it a go in the next couple of weeks. Now I really fancy that 'Flaming Fire'. I will need to see if there are any stockists up this way as I notice Potted Garden do not do mail order.
Thanks again
Platty

 

Hi, Platty!
Binny Plants in Ecclesmachan is the place to go.
http://www.binnyplants.co.uk/catalogue.php
A fantastic place, and deals with the public as well as trade.

 

LoL - this is what the above site says about the type Strongy mentioned
http://www.binnyplants.co.uk/plants.php?show=4462

 

Yes, the leaf tips are flame coloured in the Spring and Summer. Mine is about 50cm tall and wide and has one stem pink. It came in a 20cm pot for 4,95 Euros (about �£3.50).

Just got finished planting mine "sort of" under the almond tree. Had to uproot a pink Margarita which had been there for several years, plus a scented Geranium, as they were getting out of hand and I was ready for a change there but I think it will be worth it.

How strange, Pete! That seemed to be the only English site with reasonable info but it seems like it's new so not much is available.

 

Thanks, Dendro, but they are completely different from Callistemons in general. My label says ...

Patio, garden, tub and balcony plant.

This versatile, evergreen Callistemon is an extrememly decorative ornamental shrub. With its bright red growing tips in spring and summer it makes a striking addition to any garden. Will thrive in sun or dappled shade. Water regularly and protect from frost.

Protected under Breeder Rights EU2003/1074. Unauthorised propagation is prohibited.

 

Surely if you have seeds from it, LoL, or take cuttings, for your own use, that wouldn't be a problem? I mean, how on earth could they check??

 

Is that a hint? :D

I had a pink strawberry vine years ago in Bucks and it was "protected". Killed it off somehow after a few years but bought one here from this same garden centre as the Flaming Fire and it had the "protected" label on it but it died within a week! :eek:

Oh, this garden centre, Giga the tallest greenhouses on the Iberian Peninsula got hit by a one-can-only-assume a mini tornado two weeks ago and half of the front of it is collapsed in ... had to move this 3,300 Euro white / black BoP in a hurry toward the 20,000 Euro marble arched bench! Assume the guy has insurance! :eek:

 

I think the "protected" bit only applies if your propagating it for profit.
I've never let it stop me taking cuttings, lets face it, you usually end up paying over the odds for "protected" plants anyway.