MELBOURNE STREET TREES 5
Callistemon is a genus of 34 species of shrubs in the family Myrtaceae, all of which are endemic to Australia. Callistemon species are commonly referred to as bottlebrushes because of their cylindrical, brush like flowers resembling a traditional brush used to clean the interior of bottles. They are found in the more temperate regions of Australia, mostly along the east coast and south-west, and typically favour moist conditions so when planted in gardens thrive on regular watering. However, at least some of the species are drought-resistant. There are varieties with white, yellow, pink or red flowers.
Bottlebrushes are often planted on nature strips along Melbourne streets and are also a favourite garden tree. Around Christmas and all through the summer the showy flowers make quite a spectacular display and provide nectar for insects and native birds. This variety illustrated is C. 'Wildfire' - a rounded shrub to 2m high by 2m wide with slightly pendulous branches. It has showy red clusters of brushy flowers. The moon in the sky in the first photo was a happy discovery afterwards...
This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme
and also of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
Great shots of the beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteThey sure look like bottlebrushes.
Love the composition in your first shot with the moon and the blue sky.
What beautiful colour!
ReplyDeleteColourful flowers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday to you!
beautiful bursts of colours and great contrast with sky.
ReplyDeleteLove the vibrant color against the blue sky. Wishing you a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the buds of bottlebrush flowers before! Interesting!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the moon shot!!!
Love the colorful bottlebrush and how perfect against your gorgeous blue skies! Superb capture as always, Nick! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
It's a beautiful red against blue skies.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Those trees are so vibrant and beautiful. I love the way they look against the blue sky in the first shot.
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous are those! Wonderful shots Nick!
ReplyDelete"Bottlebrush" really fits the flower! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteyou subconsciously framed that moon so well
ReplyDelete:-)
Red Bottlebrush - very decorative, and common in California. Have never seen them in the Netherlands (where I'm originally from.
ReplyDeleteRed bottle-brush against clear blue skies......... Beautifully captured.
ReplyDeleteThe first shot just captured a great scene, colors in harmony, the moon the center of it all!
ReplyDeleteI love them too, we are so lucky to have such colourful native plants in Australia. Beautifully shown Nick, hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteczme via Spirithelpers and read your commnet: snow! glorious snow. I was reading a blogger who quoted that without winter, spring won't be that nice. How true, when I was growing up in Borneo, I wished for snow.
ReplyDeleteAre these flowers called bottle washers in OZ?
such vibrant red flowers
ReplyDeleteI always think that Australia was very well organised to have some natural reds around that last before, during and beyond the Christmas season! Who needs red decoration! We have plenty for free! These are wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteI love the blossoms, just beautiful. Looks like a beautiful sky and a great day. Have a wonderful weekend and happy skywatching!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ! never seen such flowers !
ReplyDeleteThose streets would look lovely with such beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeletepretty red blooms :) wonderful shots!
ReplyDeletehttp://thelayugan.blogspot.com/2012/01/366-1-4.html
I´ve seen this flower in both CostaRica and in Malta. It is very nice. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the bright red flowers against the lovely blue sky!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the plants that grow here in Florida (in the Spring) that we only saw in Oregon as a potted houseplant. I love them and your picture is beautiful against the sky!
ReplyDeletewonderful!!!
ReplyDelete