In Don’s view, Callistemon ‘Harkness’ is the best of the Australian bottlebrushes.
Common name: Bottlebrush
Botanic name: Callistemon ‘Harkness’ (used to be known and sold as ‘Gawler’ or ‘Gawler Hybrid’)
Description: Weeping, hybrid bottlebrush growing to about 6m x 6m (20 x 20′) under good conditions. Bright red flower spikes are produced abundantly in spring and early summer. The new growth is pink.
‘Harkness’ grows well in most areas of Australia, but needs a warm, sheltered position in very cold zones. It thrives in the alkaline soils of Adelaide, where it originated in 1937.
street tree informal screen specimen tree native gardens good tree for small gardens
beautiful red bottlebrush flowers attracts native nectar feeding birds sterile hybrid so does not produce woody seed capsules very hardy tolerates a wide range of soils and climates
None.
This bottlebrush is very easy to grow. It does best in a full sun position, and tolerates both wet and dry soil conditions.
Callistemon ‘Harkness’ is readily available from nurseries and specialist native nurseries.