Dwarf Bottlebrush

Is this about the cutest little thing you've ever seen? I bought it yesterday at Costco in Arllington ($11.48). The container says 2.25 gal. I've heard "Bottlebrush," but I had no idea what it looked like. I love it!

Now I need to know if any of you have any experience with this plant. The tag on the plant (Callistemon Little John) says it's hardy to zone 8, but our DG plant files says 9-11. Hmmm. I don't really know how much difference that will make.

Advice please.

BTW, Costco had scads of them.

We have lots of bottlebrush around here and they thrive. All of the happy ones that I've seen are in full sun.

Thanks, Sweetmommy. I'm right on the line of zones 7b/8a. I wonder how much difference this will make.

Where is Fulshear, anyway?

OK, got it. Your close to Houston. hmmmm I've heard EVERTHING grows for you guys. It gets sooooo hot here, and very little humidity.

The biggest problem will be a hard winter (16) or so until they are established. I would either keep them in a big pot or maybe on a south side and I would heavily mulch. I don't know how the dwarf varieties do in comparison but I have both the weeping and the standard bottle brushes and one is over twenty years old. Piled on the leaves when temps were so bad.

Thanks for asking the question and to others for answering. I purchased the same at Costco's, Duncanville this week. Still in its original container while I ponder where to plant. Don't want to move it any time soon. DeSoto is technically zone 8a and it gets pretty brisk. Full sun?

Definitely. Not a water hog either.

I had two years ago, In zone 8a they will not take a hard freeze. Nor a covering with snow. Have been trying to start seeds, but haven't had much luck.

It get very hot here too and it doesn't seem to bother them, not sure about the cold. If I were you, I'd just cover it when you get a hard freeze and enjoy it the rest of the time!

Bought mine a couple of years ago. It is located on the south side of my house, so it is somewhat protected. It receives full sun and deep watering about every ten days during the hottest part of summer. It is in a bed with mostly native plants and is heavily mulched. I did notice a few tips were nipped by our coldest weather, but no real damage to speak of here in zone 8a. It has doubled in size and is just gorgeous! Good luck with yours!

My neighbor has 2 of these. They are absolutely gorgeous and I have tried cuttings and air layering with no luck. I have never seen them under 25 dollars here. They have been in his yard for atleast 7 yrs and we have had 2 extremely hard winters in that time. They are on the north west side and have survived great. I really want a couple of them.

Sistah...
I id one in my GD's bkyd in La!!! With only leaves! No blooms!!! Her's is blooming now!

Sistah, I can get cuttings!!!

The price at Costco was $11.49....a bargain.

Thanks, all. Nia3, I'm taking your advice. I'll plant it on the south or east side of the house, and I think I'll fix up a "cover can" (?) before winter gets here. What would insulate it on those rare really cold days here? Of course, as it grows, I'll have to enlarge my cover. I'm willing to put some effort into this, just don't really have any ideas as to what would work. The cover needs to be wind resistant, too.

Cool SisTah Hope you have better luck getting cuttings to root than I have. :)

sybram I would try Christmas lights to keep it warm during a freeze.

Hmmm, I have never had to cover it since the last few winters have not been too bad and it is as close to the house as I could plant it. Maybe a plastic storage tub with the Christmas lights inside and a heavy rock to keep the wind from blowing the cover off. If you couldn't use the lights, maybe bubble wrap, leaves or newspaper in the tub before covering for extra insulation.
One other thing, I did have to give it a little extra water the first summer, but that was a tough summer. No other special care since then.
I hope you get to enjoy it for many years to come - they are precious plants :-)

Good ideas, both. My mind's spinning with your ideas, trying to figure what would work in my situation. Thanks.