Callistemon ‘Prolific’ | Weeping Red Bottlebrush | 42mm Tube

Fill the garden with vibrant colour and wildlife activity using Callistemon viminalis ‘Prolific’, a fast-growing Australian bottlebrush selected for its generous flowering display.

Deep scarlet bottlebrush flowers appear in clusters along gently weeping branches, creating a brilliant show through spring and summer. As the individual flower spikes mature, their colouring may soften towards warm orange-red and vermilion tones.

Its dense growth, graceful form and adaptability make ‘Prolific’ an excellent feature tree, screening plant or informal hedge.

Biosecurity Restriction: Due to myrtle rust regulations, this plant cannot be shipped to Western Australia, South Australia or Tasmania.

Flower and Foliage Characteristics

• Abundant red bottlebrush flowers
• Deep scarlet blooms developing warmer red-orange tones with age
• Main flowering display during spring and summer
• May flower intermittently at other times in suitable climates
• Slender evergreen foliage
• Gracefully arching and weeping branches
• Flowers attract nectar-feeding birds, bees and other pollinators
• Dense, fast-growing habit

Key Features

• Selected form of Callistemon viminalis
• Originated near Dalby, Queensland
• Prolific flowering performance
• Deep red bottlebrush blooms
• Gently weeping growth habit
• Fast-growing evergreen native
• Grows approximately 4–6m tall
• Suitable as a feature tree or large screening plant
• Can be maintained as a clipped hedge
• Adaptable to a broad range of soil types
• Tolerates periods of dry or wet soil once established
• Suitable for subtropical and temperate gardens
• Supplied as healthy young tubestock

Suitable Uses

• Australian native gardens
• Feature planting
• Informal hedges
• Clipped screens
• Windbreaks
• Habitat and wildlife gardens
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Street and verge planting where permitted
• Large garden beds
• Sheltered coastal gardens
• Subtropical landscapes
• Revegetation-style planting

Supplied as Tubestock

Supplied as a healthy young plant growing in an 80mm-high × 42mm-wide nursery tube.

The measurements refer to the nursery tube—not the plant’s overall height or foliage spread.

Plant height, branching, leaf growth and root development will vary naturally. Tubestock plants are young and will not resemble the mature flowering examples shown in the image gallery when delivered.

Planting Instructions

Choose a position in full sun to dappled shade with enough room for the plant’s mature size.

Dig a hole approximately twice the width of the nursery tube and similar in depth. Carefully remove the plant while keeping the root ball intact.

Position the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently and water thoroughly.

Apply mulch around the planting area to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch clear of the stem.

For hedging or screening, select spacing according to the desired density and the amount of regular pruning planned.

Care Instructions

Position

Grow in full sun for the densest habit and strongest flowering display.

‘Prolific’ can tolerate dappled shade, although plants grown with less sunlight may produce fewer flowers or develop a more open growth habit.

Soil

This adaptable bottlebrush can grow in a broad range of soils, including clay, loam and sand.

It can tolerate acidic or alkaline conditions and periods of dry or damp soil once established. Avoid locations that remain permanently stagnant or severely waterlogged.

Improving compacted soil before planting will encourage faster root establishment.

Watering

Water regularly during the first 12 weeks and throughout extended hot or dry periods while the plant establishes.

Once established, ‘Prolific’ can tolerate occasional dry conditions but will perform best with deep watering during prolonged drought.

Feeding

Apply a controlled-release fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants during spring.

Follow the fertiliser label directions and avoid applying concentrated fertiliser directly against the stem or to dry roots.

Pruning

Prune after the main flowering period to maintain the desired shape and encourage denser branching.

For hedges and screens, trim lightly and regularly rather than allowing the plant to become heavily overgrown before pruning.

Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches when necessary.

Climate

‘Prolific’ is suitable for subtropical, warm-temperate and temperate gardens.

Established plants tolerate a range of Australian conditions. Protect young plants from severe frost, harsh drying winds and extreme conditions while they establish.

In coastal gardens, select a reasonably sheltered position away from constant direct salt spray.

Mature Size

Height: Approximately 4–6m
Width: Approximately 2–4m

Final size will depend on climate, soil, water availability and pruning. Regular clipping can maintain a smaller and denser plant.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Callistemon viminalis ‘Prolific’
Alternative Botanical Name: Melaleuca viminalis ‘Prolific’
Cultivar: ‘Prolific’
Common Name: Weeping Bottlebrush
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Selected form originating near Dalby, Queensland
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub or small tree
Growth Habit: Dense, fast-growing and gently weeping
Flower Colour: Deep scarlet to warm red-orange
Flowering Period: Mainly spring and summer, with possible intermittent flowering
Mature Height: Approximately 4–6m
Mature Width: Approximately 2–4m
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Soil: Adaptable to clay, loam and sandy soils
Water Needs: Moderate while establishing
Supply Format: Young live plant in an 80mm-high × 42mm-wide nursery tube
End Use: Feature tree, hedge, screen, windbreak and wildlife planting

Important Information

• This listing is for a young live plant
• The plant is supplied in a 42mm-wide nursery tube
• The tube measures approximately 80mm high
• Pot measurements do not indicate the plant’s overall size
• Plant height and branching will vary naturally
• Plants may not be flowering when dispatched
• Mature images show the cultivar’s expected appearance only
• Mature size will vary according to climate, soil and care
• Regular pruning is required if maintaining the plant as a hedge or compact screen

FAQ

What size plant will I receive?

You will receive a healthy young plant growing in an approximately 80mm-high × 42mm-wide nursery tube. Plant height and branching will vary.

How large does Callistemon ‘Prolific’ grow?

Unpruned plants generally reach approximately 4–6m tall and 2–4m wide. Regular pruning can maintain a smaller, denser plant.

Is ‘Prolific’ suitable for hedging?

Yes. Its fast growth and dense branching make it suitable for informal hedges and clipped screens. Regular trimming will be required.

Does it need full sun?

Full sun produces the strongest flowering and densest growth. It can tolerate dappled shade, although flowering may be reduced.

What soil does it prefer?

‘Prolific’ is adaptable and can grow in clay, loam or sandy soil. Good soil preparation and drainage will help young plants establish successfully.

Does it attract wildlife?

Yes. Its nectar-rich bottlebrush flowers attract birds, bees and other beneficial pollinators.

When does it flower?

The main flowering display occurs during spring and summer. Additional flowers may appear at other times in warm or favourable conditions.

When should it be pruned?

Prune after the main flowering display. Light, regular trimming encourages dense growth and is preferable when maintaining a hedge or screen.

Biosecurity Restriction: Due to myrtle rust regulations, this plant cannot be shipped to Western Australia, South Australia or Tasmania.