Japanese name: ブラシノキ Scientific name:Callistemon speciosus
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub about 2–3 m tall.
Leaves are simple and alternate, lanceolate, 7–10 cm long and 0.6 cm wide.
Cylindrical spikes at the branch tips bear many small, densely set 5-petaled flowers.
The petals and sepals fall after flowering, and the long red stamens are conspicuous.
A leafy branch also grows on from the tip of the flower spike.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
It came to Japan in the middle of the Meiji period.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings, but seedlings take a long time to flower and may differ in appearance from the parent plant.
As long as the soil is sunny and well drained, it is not particular about soil type.
In poor sunlight, flowering is poor.
Also avoid places exposed to dry winter winds.
For potted plants, and for plants in the ground less than 2 years after planting, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For established plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer around the plant as fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
[Notes]
The Japanese name compares the shape of the inflorescence to a bottle-washing brush.
