a close up of a red flower on a tree

Callistemon rigidus, commonly called stiff bottlebrush or erect bottlebrush, is native to Australia. It is a medium-sized, upright, evergreen tropical shrub that will grow to 10-15’ tall in its native habitat. Flowers feature numerous bushy bright red stamens that encircle the stem in cylindrical spikes (to 4” long) resembling bottlebrushes. Flowers bloom intermittently throughout the year in frost free areas, but more typically in summer in St. Louis. Flowers are attractive to bees. Flowers are followed by small, button-like, brown seed capsules.