Kunzea Baxteri 'Pink'

Scarlet Kunzea (Pink form) / Baxter's Kunzea 'Pink'

Botanical Name: Kunzea baxteri ‘Pink’
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: South-western Western Australia (pink-flowering selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

A showy, bird-magnet kunzea selected for its bright pink, bottlebrush-style flowers (actually masses of stamens) in late winter–spring. Naturally dense and upright with fine, aromatic foliage, it’s excellent for informal screening, mixed native borders and coastal SA gardens. Performs beautifully around Adelaide with full sun, drainage and low-phosphorus care.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 2–3 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (can be kept at ~1.5–2 m with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fine, narrow mid- to deep-green leaves; aromatic when crushed
• Flowers: Rich pink “brushes” (late winter–spring; Aug–Oct in SA), highly nectar-rich
  
• Seasonal Interest: Winter–spring flower show; tidy evergreen structure year-round
• Wildlife Value: Honeyeaters, bees and beneficial insects flock to the blooms; shelter for small birds
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established, heat & wind hardy, second-line coastal tolerant; light–moderate frost; dislikes waterlogging and very high-P fertilisers
• Planting Density: Informal screen: 1–1.5 m apart; Mixed border/mass: 1–1.2 m centres; Specimen: 2.5–3 m from the next large shrub/tree
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic (as with any plant, ingestion may upset tummies)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; copes with neutral to slightly alkaline Adelaide soils—on heavier clays raise/mound and add organic matter
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); seldom in winter
• Maintenance: Tip-prune after flowering to keep dense and encourage next season’s buds (avoid cutting into bare old wood). Mulch annually; feed in spring with low-phosphorus native fertiliser only. Remove any weak or crossing stems in winter
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in free-draining sites
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA—excellent on Adelaide Plains and second-line coastal; in the Hills, choose a sunny, frost-sheltered, well-drained position
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (tolerates slightly alkaline with added organic matter)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Bird-attracting screen or sunny boundary filler
• Coastal native mixes with westringia, lomandra and grevilleas
• Feature shrub for winter–spring colour in water-wise borders
• Driveway/streetside plantings where heat and wind are high

Why You Will Love It

Months of vivid pink brushes, constant bird activity, and set-and-forget toughness—a perfect native for Adelaide gardens wanting colour through the cooler months with minimal fuss.