# Albany Bottlebrush (Callistemon glaucus)

Australian native seed packet from Native Seed Co.

- Price: A$12.50 per 1 packet, AUD incl. GST
- Availability: in stock
- Shop page: https://www.nativeseedco.org/product/530
- SKU: NSC-530
- Packet contents: approx. 2,000 seeds
- Not posted to: SA — Member of the Myrtaceae family. SA requires a Plant Health Certificate or declaration that seeds are sourced from a Myrtle Rust-free area.

Albany Bottlebrush is a sturdy plant with blue-green foliage and striking red brush-like flowers in spring and early summer. Robust yet showy, it brings a splash of colour, attracts birds, and stands out as a hardy feature in native plantings.

The Albany Bottlebrush (Callistemon glaucus) is a robust Australian native shrub renowned for its spectacular red cylindrical flower spikes that resemble traditional bottle brushes. This hardy plant features distinctive blue-green foliage that provides an attractive backdrop for the vibrant blooms.

## Growing specifications

- Origin: South coast of Western Australia, around Albany
- Form: shrub (long-lived perennial); height 2–4 m
- Sun: full sun
- Soil: sandy, loam, clay, seasonally wet
- Drought tolerance: moderate
- Frost: hardy
- Coastal / salt tolerant: yes
- Suited climates: temperate, mediterranean, subtropical, cool temperate
- Flowering season: spring, summer
- Sowing season: spring, autumn
- Germination: 14–28 days
- Seed pre-treatment: none
- Attracts: honeyeaters, native bees, birds
- Garden uses: screen, hedge, wet spots, bird garden
- Notes: One of the most adaptable bottlebrushes — tolerates poorly drained ground and clay. Surface sow the fine seed.

## Highlights

- Striking red brush-like flowers in spring and early summer
- Blue-green foliage provides year-round interest
- Attracts nectar-feeding birds and beneficial insects
- Hardy and drought tolerant once established

## How to sow

1. Sow seeds in spring or autumn for optimal germination rates.
2. Prepare a well-draining seed-raising mix with good aeration.
3. Lightly cover seeds with fine soil or sand, approximately 2-3mm deep.
4. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination (14-28 days).
5. Transplant seedlings when they have developed several sets of true leaves.
6. Plant in a sunny position with well-draining soil for best results.

## Care

- Plant in full sun for best flowering - bright, open positions produce more vibrant blooms.
- Adaptable to many soils but needs drainage - will cope with clay, loam, or sandy ground if not waterlogged.
- Water to establish, then low care - keep soil moist during first year; drought-tolerant once established.
- Prune after flowering - trimming spent blooms helps maintain dense shape and encourages new shoots.
- Feed with low-phosphorus native fertilizer in spring if desired to promote healthy growth.

Markdown version of https://www.nativeseedco.org/product/530. Catalogue index: https://www.nativeseedco.org/llms.txt