Clemson Hardy Bottlebrush

Has anyone had any experience with Callistemon rigidus "Clemson Hardy Bottlebrush" I picked one up this last week while plant shopping in Irmo, the nurseryman seemed quite versed on it being a repeat bloomer, cold hardy so I thought for 6 bucks I would give one a whirl....it's only about 2' tall but I have high hopes for it LOL

I've got 2 growing for the past 3 yrs. here, rednyr, and doing fine. They haven't rebloomed yet, and I'm not sure if they ever will. I have not pruned either yet...that may be an issue. Maybe they have to be dead-headed to force the re-bloom? Next year I'll dead-head one and leave one alone. Should be interesting!

thats a good idea stono...i am going to go check clemsons site and see if Mr. Stevens ( I was told he was the one from clemson who hybridized the tree) has anymore info or an email address so I can ask that question about DH'ing them...

Good move, rednyr. I got my plants from Woodlanders, who got them fromTed Stevens for growing out... They've worked closely together for years and have some real jewels!

My neighbors bottle brush is blooming for the second time right now. Wonder what kind she has?

Bet she doesn't know if I ask her.

if she doesn't garden alot how much you wanna bet when you ask her what type it is she will say "Pretty" LOL

Ted Stevens is a good guy, and his staff is very knowledgeable. I'd just call Nursery Caroliniana and ask. I'd do it myself, except that would spoil the fun...

I wonder if the "Mr. Stevens from Clemson" is not in fact Ted Stevens from Nursery Caroliniana in North Augusta; he is a world class hybridizer. Is he still affiliated with CU?

Deanna, if you haven't been to that nursery you definitey should go.

BTW, I have several NOID BB's; I got them as cuttings and haven't a clue what the variety is but they do rebloom regularly.

I bought a (supposedly) pink BB from Top Tropicals which has never bloomed. :-(

Ardesia - I have no clue - just repeating what the nursery owner said..we both know how that goes!

Stono - you wouldn't be spoing the fun - ask away...help me out!

Stono was sharing with you Deanna, Ted Stevens (or is it Stephens?) is not as outrageous as Tony Avant - who could be - but he is every bit as knowledgeable and interesting to talk to; and, he is close to home. You NEED to go see him.

well ....then I should google where his place is and run on down there after the PDN weekend LOL I am off until next Thursday...woohooo...whatever is a girl to do with that much time on her hands! it could get dangerous in my yard

Good luck finding Nursery Caroliniana, rednyr...it's a doozy to find, way out there in the outback. But well worth the effort! Go for it...but plan to spend a full day gawking and some agonizing decisions!

LOL, I agree with Stono, if you don't have GPS do take their phone number with you so they can talk you there. It is only minutes off I-20.

ardesia and stono - thanks for the info...who'd a thunk when I drove to N Augusta everyday for a year as a bank courrier that I was so close yet so far....the highlight of my trip was always passing Laymans Farms - although they are a big box supplier it is truly something to pass by and see hundreds of the same plant blooming at once...

Hey CoreHHI, I was down at the boat club this weekend and noticed the "Clemson" Bottlebrush that I'd planted 2 yrs. ago was in full flush in it's second bloom, with lots of buds. They may take that first year to get roots established, but once that's done, they definately rebloom!