‘DUBARDA’ LESSER FIERY BOTTLEBRUSH Callistemon phoeniceus syn Melaleuca phoenicea Seeds

In Western Australia, c phoeniceus occurs naturally in depressions and along watercourses extending from the swan river to the Murchison river Callistemon phoeniceus is one of only two Callistemon species which occur in Western Australia

The flowering period is in November and December with a second flowering in late summer if conditions are favourable

The narrow leaves are thick and rigid, tipped with a short spine Their blue green colour provides a striking contrast to the brilliant coloration of the flowers

Fairly vigorous growth habit, will grow in any soil provided ample moisture is available An open sunny position id preferable and it is tolerant of moist conditions

Bush food : Bottlebrush flowers have a sweet nectar which can either be consumed by sucking on the flowers or by soaking the flowers in water to make a sweet drink

Germination: sow direct on the surface, germination 1 4 weeks

Notes: There is ongoing controversy about whether Melaleuca or Callistemon should be used for the bottlebrush species Some herbaria have now adopted the name Melaleuca phoenicea for this species, however, this reclassification has not been adopted in the Australian Plant Census which is accepted by ANPSA as the authority on Australian Plant nomenclature