The weeping bottlebrush is typically a small tree with pendulous foliage although some forms are more pendulous than others. It reaches a height of about 10 metres in its natural habitat but is usually smaller in cultivation, particularly in temperate areas where it is an attractive and reliable small tree for street planting.
The brushes are usually about 3 inch long by 2 inch in diameter, bright red in colour and are usually seen in spring and sometimes in autumn.
In the wild, Calistemon viminalis is found along watercourses and it performs best in cultivation if a reliable water supply is available. Once established, however, it is able to tolerate extended dry periods. The plant performs best in medium to heavy soils and can tolerate less than perfect drainage but may be damaged by moderate to heavy frost. It responds to annual fertilising after flowering. Although the plant will respond to pruning, this can have the effect of destroying the weeping habit.
