~ I have to admit that the same thing has happened to mine and the leaves are shrivelled but haven't dropped yet~it is now under cover and I am adopting a wait and see attitude~ not sure if it will come away from the bottom or require a hard prune~I will wait a bit longer to see which way to go~I would be also be grateful for advice if anyone has had to deal with this?

Following last year's severe winter, mine sprouted lots of shoots from the base and eventually a few sprigs higher up grew leaves and looked as though it would become a tall plant again. This year the leaves near the base are looking a little dried out but I am going to leave it alone to see if it rallies. It is outside and not protected in any way.

~ thanks for that Fourseasons~ I can't describe the shock and horror last year when a large protea became frosted~all the leaves hung like brown ribbons but after leaving for a couple of months and as the weather warmed~ it shot away vigourously from the bottom and I cut the old stems off~ it's under cover this year!
that;'s why I am waiting to see what happens with my callistemon! I have one type with fine feathery foliage which is fine!

Proteas are well-known for regenerating from the base (this is how they survive forest fires). Not so sure with callistemon though. The ones with the narrower leaves are the hardiest

~I wouldn't want to put it to the test again Andrew!~got lots of quite young fleshy leaves which wouldn't survive extreme cold.~the feathery Callistemon is looking really good so maybe horses for courses!