BOTTLEBRUSH

These red flowering shrubs are highly recommended as hedge options for South Florida due to their rapid growth and dense foliage that remains lush from top to bottom. They are versatile enough to be used as accents or even cultivated into small flowering trees. This plant blooms year-round, with an increase in flowers during the warmer months.

The fuzzy red flowers, resembling bottle brushes, attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making them ideal for butterfly gardens. Honeybees are also drawn to the blossoms; however, given that many people have concerns about bees, it’s advisable not to plant these shrubs near doors or close to walkways.

There is also a dwarf variety known as “Little John,” which can be maintained at approximately 3 feet in height. The weeping bottlebrush tree is another popular choice for those seeking a small landscape tree. To encourage the Red Cluster bottlebrush to develop into an attractive multi-trunk tree, it is important to keep the base of the plant free of new shoots.