Bottle brush plant

Callistemon or bottle brush plant is one of my favourites.

My mum bought me one as a gift a couple of years ago but I managed to kill it in the winter of 2010-11. Left outside in its pot when it was minus 10.

My Mum very kindly treated me to another last summer; this time I've been very conscientious and have brought it inside a few times this winter. It's back outside now on my patio and I was very pleased to see this gentle red shoot appear a few days ago.

It's worth a look in large perhaps, ss you can see the lovely soft white hairs on the younger leaves.