Callistemon hybrid 'Purple Cloud'

Purple Cloud Bottlebrush

Botanical Name: Callistemon hybrid ‘Purple Cloud’ (syn. Melaleuca hybrid ‘Purple Cloud’)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia (garden hybrid selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub / small tree

Overview

A striking, hardy Australian native bottlebrush with deep mauve-purple flower spikes that create a rich, dramatic display from spring through early summer. Callistemon ‘Purple Cloud’ forms a dense, upright to softly arching shrub with fine mid-green foliage, making it an excellent choice for hedging, screening, or feature planting in Adelaide and South Australian gardens. Thrives in full sun, heat, and coastal conditions, offering a perfect mix of toughness and colour.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1.8–3 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (smaller with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow, mid-green leaves with soft, slightly pendulous tips; new growth may flush bronze or pinkish tones
• Flowers: Dense purple to deep magenta bottlebrush spikes, mainly spring–early summer, with light repeat flowering in autumn
• Seasonal Interest: Spectacular purple flowers in spring; evergreen structure and colour contrast year-round
• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to honeyeaters, native bees, and butterflies for its abundant nectar; dense foliage provides valuable shelter for small birds
• Tolerance: Excellent drought tolerance once established; heat- and wind-tolerant (ideal for exposed sites); second-line coastal suitable; light frost-tolerant (protect from severe frost in Adelaide Hills or inland zones)
• Planting Density: Hedging or screening: 0.8–1.2 m apart; Feature planting: 1.5–2.5 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs; safe for family gardens

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering and dense growth (tolerates part shade)
• Soil: Adaptable to a range of soils from sandy loam to clay loam; prefers free-draining soil; mound on heavier clay
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
• Maintenance: Lightly prune after flowering to encourage dense growth and repeat blooming. Mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Feed in early spring with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. Avoid hard pruning into old wood.
• Lifespan: 15–25+ years in well-drained South Australian conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate SA, including Adelaide plains, Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas, Barossa Valley, and coastal districts
• Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils but tolerates mild alkalinity if well-drained

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Colourful native hedge or screen with year-round foliage and spring flower display
• Feature plant near entrances, courtyards, or along driveways
• Combine with Grevillea, Eremophila, or Westringia for contrast in native or waterwise gardens
• Great bird-attracting shrub for wildlife-friendly landscapes

Why You Will Love It

With its rich purple brushes, dense evergreen foliage, and robust performance in Adelaide’s dry climate, Callistemon ‘Purple Cloud’ is a standout native that adds long-lasting colour, form, and habitat value to any South Australian garden.