Compact evergreen colour, lemon-scented leaves and Mediterranean style for pots, hedges and sunny borders
Callistemon ‘Red Rocket’ is not the sort of shrub that quietly disappears into the background. It arrives into the garden with colour, character and a real sense of theatre.
This is a Weeping Bottlebrush with a brilliant trick up its sleeve. Before it even reaches its main flowering season, it sends out a striking flush of vivid red young foliage that lights up the plant from spring into summer. That fresh new growth gives your borders, containers and patio displays a real lift.
Because this is an evergreen shrub, it keeps working long after that first flush has matured. It brings structure and shape all year-round, rather than giving a short burst of interest and then fading away. Brush gently past the leaves and there is another lovely surprise too, a light lemony scent that adds a little extra pleasure every time the plant is nearby.
If you enjoy the fiery new growth of Photinia ‘Red Robin’, ‘Red Rocket’ offers a tempting alternative. It has that same attention-grabbing spring colour, but with a more unusual, and truly unique feel.
Its neat, compact habit makes it especially useful in modern gardens. Plant it in a sunny border where the foliage can catch the light, use it as a low statement hedge, or give it pride of place in a large patio pot. It suits smaller gardens beautifully because it brings impact without demanding too much space.
Plus, it has that sun-loving, relaxed, holiday-garden feel of the Mediterranean that works so well on patios, terraces and sheltered seating areas. Once established, ‘Red Rocket’ copes well with dry spells and can handle light frosts, making it tougher than its exotic looks suggest.
Caring For Your Callistemon ‘Red Rocket’
- Although drought-tolerant, Callistemon requires regular watering.
- Feed with a general-purpose liquid feed in the growing season and top dress in the spring.
- Callistemon can get out of hand under glass so restrictive pruning may be necessary to keep shape.
- A half-hardy shrub, give winter protection in colder, windier spots. A fleece cover and mulch will see them safely through the winter. Potted plants can be moved to a cool conservatory or greenhouse.
