No not bottlebrushes, but Hebe, all species of which have now been placed back in Veronica under which name they were originally classified in the 19th century. The one on the left looks like one of the Wiri hybrids and the one on the right looks like 'Inspiration' ( http://www.photosbotanical.com/img15973.htm ). You've been pretty good at finding the Aus and NZ natives.
