General Description: 

Callistemon is a genus of around 50 species, all of which are found naturally only in Australia.  Some authorities now include Callistemon in the related genus Melaleuca, but this classification is not universally accepted (see footnote box). Numerous named cultivars of Callistemon are available.

Callistemon “Old Duninald” was raised by Sid Reynolds at his property “Old Duninald” near Paterson in New South Wales. It arose as a chance seedling and is of uncertain parentage. To date this cultivar has not been widely available. The plant shown was photographed at the Mount Annan Botanic Garden, Campbelltown, New South Wales.

The cultivar appears to be a free flowering plant growing to around 2 metres in height by a similar spread. The typical bottlebrush flowers are an attractive orange-red with yellow tipped stamens. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer.

Callistemon “Old Duninald” probably produces viable seed. However, because of seedling variation any plants produced from this seed will not be identical to the parent plant and cannot be called “Old Duninald”. Plants produced from cuttings (which should strike readily) will produce genetically identical plants to the parent.

Many Callistemons can tolerate less than perfect drainage but usually perform best in gardens with reasonable drainage and regular availability of water. Callistemons respond to well to annual fertilising after flowering and are not as sensitive as some other Australian plants to phosphorus.