Callistemon viminalis 'Captain Cook'Captain Cook Bottlebrush

The Callistemon viminalis 'Captain Cook', or Captain Cook Bottlebrush, is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its profuse, bright red, bottlebrush-shaped flowers and lush green foliage. Blooming in spring and summer, with sporadic flowering in autumn, it creates a vibrant display that attracts birds and pollinators. Growing to 1 to 2 metres tall, it is perfect for smaller gardens, borders, hedges, or containers.

Hardy and low-maintenance, this versatile shrub thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a reliable choice for native, formal, or coastal gardens.

Specifications

• Height1 to 2 metres
• Width1 to 1.5 metres
• Native toAustralia (cultivar)
• FoliageNarrow, lance-shaped green leaves; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers well-drained soils; tolerates sandy, loamy, or clay types
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterLow to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in temperate, subtropical, and coastal regions

Additional Features

• FlowersBright red, bottlebrush blooms from spring to summer, with occasional autumn flowers
• UsesIdeal for hedging, borders, mass planting, containers, or as a feature plant
• SpacingPlant 0.8 to 1.5 metres apart for dense hedging or individual displays
• Low MaintenanceRequires light pruning after flowering to maintain shape and encourage blooms
• Pest ResistanceGenerally pest-free and hardy
• Wildlife AttractionNectar-rich flowers attract birds, bees, and butterflies
• Drought TolerancePerforms well in low-water and coastal gardens
• VersatilityComplements native, formal, and cottage garden designs

The Captain Cook Bottlebrush is a hardy and compact shrub, perfect for adding vibrant colour, wildlife appeal, and low-maintenance greenery to gardens and landscapes.

Project pedigree: This species has stood in Ornatec's drought, salt and frost tolerance palette since the 1990s. Read the tolerance catalogue record.

Available Sizes

• Mature height1.5 to 6.0 m
• Canopy spread0.8 to 4.0 m
• Trunk caliper30 to 140 mm

Supplied as advanced, project-grade specimens. Sizes above are the working supply range and are confirmed against your plant schedule. Proven for Middle East coastal projects.