| Botanic name | Callistemon salignus |
| Other names | Willow bottlebrush |
| Main Origin | East and southeast coast of Australia |
| Mature size | 3 – 5 m x 5 – 10 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Shrub or small tree with an open or dense canopy |
| Foliage | Narrow, lance-shaped, willow-like, pale green |
| Growth rate | Moderate to fast |
| Position | Full sun, light shade |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Minimal, deep watering during the establishment |
| Climate | Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Creamy or pale yellow from spring to autumn |
| Use | Feature specimen, hedge, screening |
| Notes | Tolerant of wet conditions, suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Callistemon salignus, commonly known as the Willow Bottlebrush, is a tall, graceful Australian native that has earned its reputation as one of the most reliable and adaptable bottlebrush species.
With its fine, willow-like foliage and creamy white to soft pink flower spikes, this large shrub or small tree has a more refined, delicate presence than the bold forms of its relatives, including Callistemon viminalis and Callistemon citrinus.
But this plant isn’t just about looks. Willow Bottlebrush is one of the most versatile and low-maintenance bottlebrushes you can grow. It blends ornamental appeal with real-world toughness, transforming your garden into an inviting sanctuary.
Origin and distribution
Callistemon salignus is native to the east coast of Australia. It typically grows in moist environments, including creek banks, low-lying river flats, swamps, shrublands, and woodlands.
The plant is exceptionally adaptable outside its native range. Its tolerance for a wide variety of conditions, from dry inland gardens to breezy coastal sites, is highly valuable in landscaping.
Unlike Callistemon viminalis and Callistemon citrinus, Callistemon salignus is much less common and underutilised in horticulture. However, its performance in residential and public landscapes continues to highlight its potential.
Growth and care
Callistemon salignus occurs in temperate to subtropical climates along Australia’s eastern coast. It adapts well to regions with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters. While the species shows good frost tolerance, it cannot endure heavy, prolonged frosts in extreme cold.
Although Callistemon salignus is often found in wet habitats, it is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for inland regions with fluctuating rainfall. Young plants benefit from regular deep watering until established, particularly through dry spells.
The species can grow in poor soils that are sandy, loamy or clay and can tolerate alkaline soils, but performs best in moderately fertile soils that are slightly acidic to neutral.
Its natural preference for damp conditions gives an advantage to sites subject to periodic waterlogging and gardens with heavy, compacted, and poorly-drained soils.
The plant is also tolerant of salt spray, salt-laden winds, and some soil salinity, making it ideal for seaside gardens.
Callistemon salignus responds well to pruning. Light pruning or trimming can be done after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser and more compact growth. Heavy pruning can also be done to rejuvenate older and tired plants.
While the plant can grow in nutrient-poor soil, it benefits from regular fertilisation to promote healthy growth and profuse flowering. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertiliser or other organic matter like compost and aged manure in spring and possibly autumn, especially during the establishing phase.
Features
Callistemon salignus can grow as a large shrub or small tree, typically reaching 5 – 10 metres tall, with a rounded to oval canopy. Its bark is often papery and flaky in cream or tan, adding visual interest to the plant.
The most distinguishing feature is its slender, narrow and elliptical willow-like foliage, which creates a soft, flowing silhouette unlike the coarser leaves of many other species. The stunning new bronzy red growth further enhances its appeal.
The weeping foliage along arching branches gives the plant a unique, graceful form, especially when shaped as a small tree, making it ideal for adding texture and movement to the landscape.
As the plant is highly responsive to pruning, when used as a hedge or screen, it forms a dense and upright barrier great for dividing spaces and offering privacy.
The original Callistemon salignus produces creamy-white to pale pink bottlebrush flower spikes that are often more subtle than the typical bright reds of other Callistemon species. These blooms are the magnet to nectar-feeding birds, bees, bringing biodiversity to the environment.
Main cultivars
- Little Jet: A small, compact cultivar with a dense, upright habit, featuring small red flowers and fantastic red-tinged new growth, attaining 1 – 2 metres tall.
- Great Balls of Fire: A dense, compact, low-growing form with vibrant pink to red new growth, ideal for borders, hedges and screens, reaching 1.5 – 2 metres tall.
- Glasshouse Country: A hybrid between Callistemon salignus and Callistemon ‘Tanaroo’, featuring masses of pale pink bottlebrush flowers, reaching 2 – 3 metres tall.
- Eureka: A hybrid between Callistemon salignus and Callistemon shiressii, featuring profuse bright pink flower spikes and pink new growth, reaching 3 – 4 metres tall.
- Perth Pink: A bushy variety suitable for hedging and screening, featuring spectacular deep pink flowers and attractive pinkish new foliage, growing 4 metres tall.
Final words
Callistemon salignus offers something distinctly different from its flashier relatives. Where many bottlebrushes make their impact with bold flowers and foliage, this plant brings a quieter elegance, with willow-like leaves and creamy white to soft pink blooms.
But its difference isn’t just aesthetic. It thrives in wet soils, copes with poor drainage, and is highly tolerant of coastal exposure, giving it a broader ecological range.
With diverse cultivars ranging from compact hedging forms to larger hybrids with colourful new growth, Callistemon salignus stands out as a versatile and uniquely graceful member of the bottlebrush family.
