Callistemon viminalis ‘Pink Alma’ – Pink Bottlebrush

Description

Callistemon viminalis ‘Pink Alma’ – Pink Bottlebrush Selection

Family: Myrtaceae
Packet Size: Approx. 500+ seeds

Description

Callistemon viminalis ‘Pink Alma’ is a cultivated bottlebrush selection admired for its vivid mid-pink flower spikes and relatively compact, branching growth. The parent selection provides an appealing alternative to the more usual red-flowered bottlebrushes.

Mature ‘Pink Alma’ plants are often grown as ornamental native shrubs, with a profusion of flowers in spring and sometimes a lighter repeat display in autumn. Pink flower spikes produce nectar and can attract birds and pollinating insects.

Important – seed-grown variation: These are seeds from the ‘Pink Alma’ selection, not guaranteed true-to-type plants. Seedlings may produce different shades of pink or red flowers and may vary in height, form and flowering performance.

Key Features

• Parent flowers: Mid-pink bottlebrush spikes, particularly showy in spring.
• Parent foliage: Evergreen, narrow green leaves on a compact to slightly arching shrub.
• Parent habit: Commonly around 1.5–2.5 m tall, depending on growing conditions.
• Wildlife: Nectar-rich spikes can bring visiting birds and pollinating insects into the garden.
• Garden uses: Native flower borders, informal screens, feature planting and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Position: Full sun for best flowering; light shade can be tolerated.
• Soil: Adaptable to well-drained sandy, loamy or clay soils with suitable moisture.
• Watering: Keep evenly watered while establishing, especially through dry spells.
• Climate: Suitable for many temperate and subtropical sites; protect young plants from severe frost.
• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering may encourage bushiness and a tidier shape.

Seed Propagation

• Prepare: Use a shallow tray or pots filled with fine-textured, freely draining seed-raising mix; moisten before sowing.
• Sow: Scatter the tiny seeds thinly onto the surface and gently press into contact with the mix. Do not cover deeply, as bottlebrush seed is very fine.
• Water: Mist carefully or water from below to avoid washing the seed into clumps or burying it.
• Position: Place in bright, sheltered light, out of intense midday sun and strong drying winds.
• Moisture: Keep the surface consistently lightly moist, never saturated, until seedlings are established.
• Transplant: Once seedlings have developed several true leaves and can be handled, pot on carefully and acclimatise gradually to stronger light.