Clemson hardy bottlebrush?

I finally found bottlebrushes marked Clemson red cluster cold hardy at the Lowes near Woodley's on Two Notch in Cola. I'm concerned because they were grown in S Fl, and the new growth doesn't have the coloration that Clemson hardy's are supposed to have. I know this is a bad time to plant something that may be marginal, but if they turn out not to be Clemson cold hardy, at least I can return them for a refund next spring. Please advise.

I forgot to add that the tag indicated they they were cold hardy to zone 7a, which I find hard to believe.

This message was edited Aug 31, 2011 5:52 PM

New growth on Clemson red cluster from Lowes

New growth on red cluster BB purchased at PeeDee flower show last April

I am not familiar with that particular cultivar but the difference in the new growth could possibly be related to temperature )spring vs. summer) and/or fertilization. Why don't you shoot an email to Amanda McNulty with both photos and see what she says.

Thanks, ardesia. That's a great idea. I posted it on the ID forum yesterday, but haven't received a reply yet. Callistemon cultivars are often difficult to identify. I do think I'm going to go ahead and get them in the ground. Hopefully we'll have a rare milder than normal winter and I don't have to return them next Spring.