Callistemon Viminalis 'Better John'

Better John Bottlebrush

Botanical Name: Callistemon viminalis ‘Better John’ (syn. Melaleuca viminalis ‘Better John’; cultivar ‘LJ1’ PBR)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia (improved selection bred from ‘Little John’)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

An improved dwarf bottlebrush for Adelaide/SA: easier to grow, quicker to establish and with richer blue-green foliage than ‘Little John’. Forms a naturally compact, dense mound with silvery new growth and small red bottlebrushes mid–late spring. Ideal for neat low hedges, borders, mass planting and pots; tough and bird-attracting.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.2 m H × 0.6–0.9 m W (compact)
• Growth Rate: 20-35 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Blue-green mature leaves; soft, silvery new growth (fine hairs) for year-round contrast
• Flowers: Small, rich red brushes mainly mid–late spring (spot bloom possible)
• Seasonal Interest: Spring flowers; evergreen mound with repeated flushes of silvery new growth
• Wildlife Value: Nectar for honeyeaters and pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat and wind tolerant; second-line coastal OK; light frosts (protect from hard frosts) — well-drained SA clay loams/sands preferred
• Planting Density: Low hedge/border: 2–3 per metre (≈ 35–50 cm centres). Mass: 3–5/m². Containers: one per pot; tip-prune to shape
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best bloom in sun)
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam to clay loam; avoid waterlogging; mound on heavy sites
• 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: Light tip-prune after flowering to keep tight and encourage next season’s bloom; mulch; feed in early spring with low-P native fertiliser
• Lifespan: 15-25+ years
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA, including Adelaide Plains, foothills and second-line coastal areas
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral; tolerates slightly alkaline (improved tolerance vs ‘Little John’)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low formal hedge/edging along paths or driveways
• Mass plant for a durable, bird-friendly band of colour
• Feature in pots for small gardens, courtyards and entrances

Why You Will Love It

A compact, easier, quicker version of the classic dwarf bottlebrush—silvery new growth, blue-green foliage and spring red blooms—perfect for tidy Adelaide borders, low hedges and containers.