Callistemon 'Harkness'

Callistemon 'Harkness' is a hybrid from the Gawler area of South Australia. It is one of the best bottlebrushes ever, with its long lasting, spectacular display of showy red flowers.

Plant details

Common name: Harkness bottlebrush
Botanical name: Callistemon 'Harkness'
Description: Large evergreen shrub or small tree, 5-6m (15-20') tall. It has a semi weeping habit and produces masses of large blood-red flowers in spring and early summer.
Best climate: 'Harkness' will grow in all areas of Australia.

Best look:

native garden hedge or screen plant street plantings bird attracting gardens

Good points:

• beautiful red brushes
• very attractive to native birds
• hardy, long lived
• tolerates most soils
• tolerates wet (but not water logged) positions
• being a hybrid it doesn't set seed, so ugly seed capsules are not a problem
• can be kept trimmed for a smaller sized plant with more flowers

Care:

Bottlebrushes are generally low maintenance, but if plants become straggly, prune heavily to encourage new growth.

Getting started:

'Harkness' is readily available from nurseries and garden centres. 

Copyright CTC Productions 1999