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Weeping Bottlebrush / Wildfire Bottlebrush Botanical Name: Callistemon ‘Wildfire’ (syn. Melaleuca) Family: Myrtaceae Origin: Australia (garden cultivar) Plant Type: Evergreen shrub Overview A striking bottlebrush with narrow fresh-green leaves and fiery scarlet–crimson brushes in spring, with spot flowers again in summer–autumn in warm spells. Tough, clip-tolerant and ideal for hedges, screens or specimens in South Australian gardens. Key Features Mature Size: 2-4 m H x 2-3 m W Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions Foliage: Narrow, fresh green; tidy branching; bronze/copper new growth Flowers: Scarlet to crimson bottlebrush spikes (spring; repeats in warm seasons) Seasonal Interest: Big spring show + repeat colour in warm months Wildlife Value: Attracts honeyeaters, native bees and other pollinators Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; light frost (protect from hard frost) Planting Density: Hedge/screen: 1 per metre (down to 0.7 m for very tight screens); Specimen: 1.5–2 m apart Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs Where It Works Best Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best bloom in sun) Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or clay loam (mound on heavy sites) Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter Maintenance: Light prune after flowering flushes to keep dense; mulch; feed in early spring with low-P native fertiliser Lifespan: 15-25+ years Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA, including coastal areas Soil pH: Acidic to neutral, tolerates slightly alkaline Landscape & Design Ideas Privacy hedge/screen with bold colour Feature near entries/paths to draw birds Mass plant for low-maintenance structure and seasonal impact Why You Will Love It Showy crimson brushes, a bird-magnet habit and easy care—perfect for colourful hedging and resilient screening in South Australia