shrub

Kings Park Special Bottlebrush

Callistemon 'Kings Park Special'

The Story

Plant Bio

Callistemon is a genus of evergreen Australian shrubs and trees characterised by woody stems and narrow, leathery foliage. The distinctive inflorescences consist of dense, cylindrical spikes of long, brightly coloured stamens that resemble bottle brushes and attract numerous nectar-feeding birds.

'Kings Park Special' is an upright, dense cultivar growing three to five metres tall with slightly weeping branchlets and shiny, dark-green lanceolate leaves. It is distinguished by multiple terminal heads of bright crimson flower spikes up to 13 centimetres long that appear primarily during spring and summer.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces dense, bright red cylindrical flower spikes up to 13 cm long against shiny, dark-green foliage.

Provides an effective windbreak, privacy screen, or small specimen tree with high tolerance for coastal exposure and salt-laden winds.

Highly attractive to Australian nectar-eating birds, including honeyeaters and lorikeets, as well as native insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

197 inches

Width

157 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

High tolerance

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Western Australia (cultivar origin)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil, though heavier clay is tolerated if moisture is managed.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and of equal depth, placing the plant so the soil level matches the pot level.
Backfill with local soil, firm down gently to remove air pockets, and water in thoroughly to settle the roots.
Apply an organic mulch layer around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent collar rot.

Pro Tip

Prune immediately after the main spring flowering flush to maintain a dense habit; while this cultivar tolerates hard pruning into old wood, routine light pruning prevents the canopy from becoming woody and sparse.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune immediately after the main spring flowering flush to encourage bushy growth.
Water occasionally during prolonged dry spells to maintain optimal flowering performance.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring if growth appears sluggish.

Don't

Do not prune aggressively multiple times a year unless maintaining a formal screen.
Do not allow young plants to dry out completely before their root systems are fully established.
Do not plant in poorly drained, waterlogged hollows where Phytophthora dieback is a risk.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Screening and informal hedgingSpecimen planting in small gardensWindbreaks in coastal or exposed sites

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Lomandra longifolia Grevillea cultivars

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Kings Park Special Bottlebrush questions

What zones can Kings Park Special Bottlebrush grow in?

Kings Park Special Bottlebrush is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Kings Park Special Bottlebrush bloom?

Kings Park Special Bottlebrush typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Kings Park Special Bottlebrush need full sun?

Kings Park Special Bottlebrush does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Kings Park Special Bottlebrush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Kings Park Special Bottlebrush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.