Can You Plant a Bottlebrush Tree in January in Florida?

Bottlebrush shrubs attract hummigbirds.

Bottlebrush trees are flowering evergreen perennials with long, drooping branches and red cylinder flowers. This plant, often called a shrub, is easily trained as a tree. A bottlebrush can be planted in Florida beginning in January.

Types

Bottlebrush trees are grown from seed, hardwood cuttings or nursery plants. Container nursery plants are most suitable for January planting, as the tree has been sufficiently established to withstand cold winter weather in Florida.

Planting

As long as soil is workable, the tree can be transplanted in January from nursery stock or moved from another location. Dig a hole twice the size of the transplant. Set the transplant in the hole with the crown at ground level. Mix organic conditioner with ground soil to back-fill the hole.

Pruning

Though sensitive to winter damage, a bottlebrush transplanted in January will revive in spring. Trim frost-damaged branches off in spring pruning. Prune away multiple canes to maintain a central tree trunk.

References

• Floridata: Callistemon viminalis, weeping bottlebrush
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Callistemon citrinus, Red Bottlebrush
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden with the bottlebrush plant