'Dawson River Weeper' is a tall, graceful bottlebrush cultivar known for its elegant, cascading branches and vivid red flower spikes. Flowering prolifically in spring, it attracts nectar-feeding birds and bees and provides a striking visual display. Ideal for large gardens, windbreaks, or feature planting, this variety offers a classic weeping bottlebrush form with outstanding ornamental value.
Quick Overview:
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Height and Width: Typically reaches 4–6 meters high and 3–4 meters wide
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Foliage: Narrow green leaves on pendulous, weeping branches
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Flowers: Bright red bottlebrush flower spikes in spring, with possible spot flowering throughout the year
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Growth Habit: Graceful weeping form, tall and spreading
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Position: Full sun for best flowering
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Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to a variety of soil types
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Tolerance: Light frost and drought tolerant once established
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Maintenance: Benefits from light pruning after flowering to maintain form
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Etymology: Callistemon from Greek kallos (beautiful) and stemon (stamen); ‘Dawson River Weeper’ refers to its origin along Queensland’s Dawson River
Detailed Description:
Callistemon viminalis 'Dawson River Weeper' is a taller-growing cultivar of the weeping bottlebrush, appreciated for its soft, arching foliage and showy red flowers. It typically reaches heights of 4 to 6 meters, making it a great choice for those seeking a mid- to large-sized feature tree with year-round presence.
In spring, this cultivar erupts into colour with masses of vibrant red flower spikes that are rich in nectar. These flowers attract a wide variety of wildlife, particularly honeyeaters, bees, and butterflies. Its weeping growth habit adds an elegant, flowing structure to gardens, softening hard edges and providing movement and shade.
This cultivar is particularly well-suited to larger garden beds, as a street tree, or for use in windbreaks. It is hardy, adaptable, and low maintenance once established, making it an easy-care option for landscapes seeking both function and beauty.
Growth and Maintenance:
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Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, it becomes tolerant of dry spells and light frost
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Pruning: Light pruning after flowering promotes a neat shape and better flowering next season
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Symmetry and Structure: Remove any dead or crossing branches as needed. Can be trained with a central leader if a tree form is desired
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Fertilising: Feed in spring with an all-purpose fertiliser to support healthy growth and flowering
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Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Common Uses:
- Feature tree in native or coastal gardens
- Tall informal screen or windbreak
- Wildlife habitat garden
- Street or park planting
- Naturalistic plantings near water features
Planting Benefits:
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Elegant Form: Graceful, weeping habit adds soft structure and movement
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Striking Flowers: Vivid red bottlebrush blooms create strong visual impact
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Wildlife Friendly: Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies with nectar-rich flowers
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Hardy and Low Maintenance: Thrives in varied conditions with minimal care
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Versatile Landscape Use: Suitable for large gardens, parks, and public spaces
'Dawson River Weeper' is a stunning choice for gardeners looking to combine beauty with functionality in a medium to large native tree. Its weeping form and seasonal colour make it an eye-catching centrepiece in any landscape.
