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.