Species

Callistemon citrinusCrimson Bottlebrush

4 other cultivars

shrub

White Anzac Bottlebrush

Callistemon citrinus 'White Anzac'

The Story

Plant Bio

Callistemon citrinus, the crimson bottlebrush, is an evergreen Australian shrub reaching three to five feet in cultivation, with narrow leathery leaves that smell of lemon when crushed. The flowers have no petals to speak of; the display comes from dense cylindrical spikes of bright red stamens held at the shoot tips, produced in flushes through the season.

'White Anzac' is a low, sprawling cultivar selected from a wild-collected coastal variant in New South Wales, distinguished by its mounding habit and pure white flower spikes. The terminal flower spikes reach up to fifteen centimetres long and age to a creamy-white before the stems grow past them into new leafy shoots.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces pure white cylindrical flower spikes that contrast cleanly with mid-to-dark green foliage.

Functions as an effective low hedge, windbreak, or soil binder in coastal and erosion-prone areas.

Attracts nectar-feeding birds, native bees, and beneficial insects, while providing protective nesting habitat.

SpeciesCallistemon citrinusCrimson Bottlebrush

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to Medium

Humidity

Medium

Lifespan

15-20 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a full sun position to ensure maximum flower production.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and backfill with native soil.
Water thoroughly upon planting and maintain regular watering throughout the first year.
Apply a low-phosphorus or balanced native slow-release fertiliser in early spring.
Prune hard immediately after the summer flowering flush to maintain a dense shape.

Pro Tip

Prune immediately after flowering to prevent a leggy, woody base; shearing back the spent green shoots forces epicormic buds to break, maintaining a dense, floriferous mound.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune the plant hard immediately after flowering to encourage dense new growth.
Water regularly during the first year of establishment and during prolonged dry spells.
Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Don't

Do not prune back into old, completely leafless brown wood as it may fail to reshoot.
Do not allow the plant to sit in permanently waterlogged, undrained soil.
Do not use high-phosphorus fertilisers if planting near sensitive Proteaceae species, though this plant itself is tolerant.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

HedgeMass PlantingCoastal GardenBird HabitatLow-Maintenance Garden

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Anigozanthos flavidus Correa alba Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

White Anzac Bottlebrush questions

What zones can White Anzac Bottlebrush grow in?

White Anzac Bottlebrush is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does White Anzac Bottlebrush bloom?

White Anzac Bottlebrush typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does White Anzac Bottlebrush need full sun?

White Anzac Bottlebrush does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is White Anzac Bottlebrush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), White Anzac Bottlebrush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.