Calothamnus quadrifidus 'Seaside' (Seaside One-sided Bottlebrush) - A medium-sized evergreen shrub to 5-7 feet tall with soft hairy pine-needle-like leaves and bright red flowers, which are actually bundles of four stamens known as staminal claws, from late winter to summer with sporadic bloom on to late fall. The flowers are borne on one side of stem that was the previous year's new growth.
Plant in full to partial sun and water infrequently. Tolerant of hot dry conditions, most any well-drained soil, coastal conditions (back from salt spray zone) and medium frost - listed hardy to 16 F. Good as a low screen. Foliage is great in flower arrangements and flowers attracts nectar feeding birds to the garden.
We grew this plant from 2006 until 2010 as Calothamnus villosus, a species restricted to southern Western Australia, but true Calothamnus villosus, has 5 stamens in bundles and this plant has 4 merous staminal bungles so it has been determined to be a nice gray leafed form of Calothamnus quadrifidus, a species that has a wider distribution through much of west Western Australia. The confusion between these species has long been noted in the literature. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'kalos' which means "beautiful" and 'thamnos' which means "a shrub" and the specific epithet means "divided into four parts" in reference to the staminal bundles.
Calothamnus quadrifidus 'Seaside' was originally grown from seed by Jo O'Connell at Calothamnus quadrifidus 'Yellow Form' and also Calothamnus gracilis 'Spring Torch'.
The information about Calothamnus quadrifidus 'Seaside' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |