Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Dwarf Bottlebrush
Dwarf Bottlebrush is a compact evergreen shrub that forms a dense mound of blue-green leaves about 3 feet tall. Red bottlebrush flowers show up through most of the year, and hummingbirds come for them. It fits borders, foundation beds, small yards and large pots. Once rooted it needs only low to moderate water.
Best for: low borders and foundation beds, patio pots and small yards, and hummingbird plantings in sun or part shade.
Set plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a low, even row along a walk or the front of the house. Each forms a dense mound about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.
It grows slowly and stays small, so it suits a large pot on a patio or a small yard. Keep potted soil draining and water it deep, not often.
The red bottlebrush flowers show up most of the year, heaviest from spring into fall. Hummingbirds and bees visit them. It blooms in full sun or part shade.
Overwatering and poorly drained soil turn the leaves yellow, and very alkaline soil makes it worse. A hard freeze can burn the tips, so cover it in a very cold winter.
- Low hedge or border2 ft apart, center to center
- Looser border3 ft apart, center to center
Water every few days the first two weeks, then stretch it out over the first two months. Once rooted, water deep about every 10 to 14 days, less in winter. Do not keep the soil wet.
Yellow leaves mean it is short on iron, usually from overwatering or alkaline soil. Water less often and add an iron product for plants.
It seldom needs pruning, but if you want a tidier shape, trim lightly after flowering in late summer or fall. Never remove more than a third of the plant at once.
A hard freeze can burn the tips. In a very cold winter, cover it with frost cloth or an old sheet, not plastic, and take it off in the morning.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does dwarf bottlebrush get?
It grows about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It is slow, so it takes a few years to get there.
How far apart should I plant dwarf bottlebrush?
Plant it about 2 to 3 feet apart for a border or low hedge. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How often should I water dwarf bottlebrush?
Water more often for the first two months, then taper to a deep soak about every 10 to 14 days once it is rooted. Let the soil dry between waterings so it never stays soggy.
Why are my bottlebrush leaves turning yellow?
That is iron shortage, and it is worst when the plant is overwatered or in alkaline soil. Water less often and add an iron product.
Does dwarf bottlebrush need full sun?
It grows in full sun or part shade, and it blooms more in full sun. Plant it in the sunniest spot you have if flowers matter most.
When does dwarf bottlebrush bloom?
It blooms most of the year, with the heaviest bloom from spring into fall. Give it full sun for the most flowers.
How do I prune dwarf bottlebrush?
It seldom needs pruning at all. For a tidier look, trim lightly after flowering in late summer or fall, and never take off more than a third at once.
Does dwarf bottlebrush attract hummingbirds?
Yes, hummingbirds visit the red flowers, and bees do too. Plant it where you can see it from a window or patio.
How cold hardy is dwarf bottlebrush?
It is rated hardy to somewhere between 15°F and 25°F. Frost can burn the tips, so cover it with frost cloth in a very cold winter.
Can dwarf bottlebrush grow in a pot?
Yes. It stays compact and does well in large patio containers, as long as the potting soil drains well.
When is the best time to plant dwarf bottlebrush?
Fall is best, in October or November, and spring is the next best time. Avoid planting in the summer heat.
Dwarf Bottlebrush for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Dwarf Bottlebrush gives you red bottlebrush flowers on a shrub that stays about 3 feet tall. It is evergreen, slow and tidy, and hummingbirds visit it most of the year. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from spacing and water to yellow leaves, pruning and cold.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Dwarf bottlebrush in Phoenix
Dwarf bottlebrush is a slow, compact evergreen shrub for sun or part shade. Plant it in soil that drains, and once it is rooted it needs only low to moderate water.
How far apart to plant dwarf bottlebrush
Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a border or low hedge. Each grows about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide over a few years.
Why is my bottlebrush turning yellow?
Yellow leaves mean an iron shortage, usually from overwatering, poor drainage or alkaline soil. Water less often and add an iron product.
Watering dwarf bottlebrush
Water often for the first couple of weeks, then taper over two months. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 10 to 14 days is enough.
Pruning dwarf bottlebrush
It seldom needs any pruning. If you want to tidy it, trim lightly after flowering in late summer or fall, and never remove more than a third at once.
Dwarf bottlebrush for hummingbirds
The red bottlebrush flowers appear most of the year and bring in hummingbirds, and bees visit them too.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.