{"product_id":"brachychiton-rupestris","title":"Brachychiton rupestris","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQueensland Bottle Tree \/ Desert Kurrajong\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBrachychiton rupestris\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Malvaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Queensland \u0026amp; northern New South Wales, Australia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-deciduous to deciduous native feature tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Queensland Bottle Tree is one of Australia's most sculpturally iconic native trees, instantly recognised by its dramatically swollen, bottle-shaped trunk that stores water and grows more characterful with every passing decade. Native to semi-arid woodlands and grasslands of inland Queensland and northern New South Wales, it thrives in South Australia's hot, dry plains, footslopes, and Hills conditions with minimal fuss once established. A long-lived, low-maintenance specimen tree that rewards patience — no two individuals are ever quite the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–15 m H × 5 m W (broad-domed canopy; often smaller in garden settings — typically 8–12 m in cultivation)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow; 20–40 cm per year; upright and open-canopied when young, gradually broadening into a wide dome with age; trunk swelling becomes noticeable from 5–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep grey-green to glossy green leaves approximately 100 mm long; narrow and strap-like on mature growth, more deeply lobed on juvenile stems; semi-deciduous — foliage drops briefly in spring before and during flowering, then returns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, bell-shaped, creamy-white to pale yellow with soft red internal markings, borne in loose clusters on bare branches in spring to early summer (October–December); non-fragrant; modest but charming against the bare sculptural trunk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dramatic year-round trunk architecture; brief leafless flowering display in spring–summer; followed by large, dark brown woody boat-shaped seed pods that persist for months and are popular in dried floral arrangements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects; dense canopy and cavities in mature trunks provide shelter for small birds and hollow-dependent fauna; woody seed pods support seed-eating birds and insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional drought tolerance once established; moderate to heavy frost hardy (tolerates moderate and heavy frost per Adelaide Botanic Gardens); heat tolerant well above 40 °C; wind tolerant; tolerates heavy clay, loam, and sandy soils; 2nd-line coastal tolerance (not direct salt spray); tolerates poor and rocky soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feature\/specimen planting: space 6–8 m apart to allow full canopy and trunk development; avenue planting along a driveway or rural road: 5–6 m apart for a commanding, non-crowding row effect. Not suited to hedge or screening use given its open, slow canopy habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brachychiton rupestris is not listed as toxic to dogs, cats, or horses. However, the seed pods contain fine irritant hairs that can cause skin, eye, and mouth irritation if handled or chewed — keep pets (especially curious dogs) away from fallen seed pods. If ingestion of pods occurs, contact your vet. The tree itself presents a low toxicity risk but is not formally classified as completely pet-safe by ASPCA; exercise standard caution.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun only — requires a minimum of 6–8 hours of direct sun daily; will not thrive in shade or heavy dappled light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable — performs well in clay, loam, and sandy soils; requires good drainage; deep soils encourage deeper rooting and enhanced drought resilience; incorporates organic matter at planting to assist establishment; mulch to conserve moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 2–3 years): water deeply once or twice per week during the first summer and autumn, tapering to fortnightly through winter; repeat the schedule in the second and third summers. Established: summer — water deeply once every 3–4 weeks during extreme heat (above 38 °C) if no rain; otherwise fully rain-fed; winter — no supplementary watering required. Supplementary water will accelerate growth rate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely low once established — no pruning required; remove any crossing branches in the first 5 years to establish a clear leader; fertilise with a balanced slow-release native fertiliser in spring; mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds; watch for Kurrajong Leaf Tier caterpillar which can defoliate young trees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptionally long-lived; 100–200+ years in suitable conditions; a true generational investment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideally suited to SA's hot, dry inland (Murray Mallee, Riverland, Mid North); performs excellently on Adelaide Plains and suburban gardens; well-adapted to the Adelaide Hills in sheltered positions; suitable for coastal footslopes (2nd-line coastal, not direct beachfront); thrives in temperate Mediterranean and warm semi-arid SA climates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Performs best in acid to neutral soils (pH 5.5–7.0); tolerates slightly alkaline conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature specimen \u0026amp; sculptural focal point:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant as a standalone statement tree in a large lawn, open courtyard, or rural property where its extraordinary bottle-shaped trunk can be appreciated from all angles — it is architecture without a single brick\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvenue \u0026amp; driveway planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use at 5–6 m spacings along a long driveway or property entrance for a dramatic, quintessentially Australian avenue; pairs beautifully with gravel, decomposed granite, or exposed aggregate paths and creates a low-maintenance, drought-proof avenue as impressive as any European choice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary dry garden \u0026amp; bush garden design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Combine with ornamental grasses (Poa, Themeda), native groundcovers (Myoporum, Scaevola), boulders, and gravel mulch for a water-wise landscape that references SA's natural semi-arid character; pairs especially well with other pachycaul plants and succulents for a bold textural planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want a tree that stops people in their tracks, sparks conversation, and then quietly gets on with being magnificent for the next century — the Queensland Bottle Tree is it. Sculptural, drought-proof, wildlife-friendly, and deeply Australian, it rewards every South Australian garden that gives it space and full sun. Plant it for yourself, and leave it as a living landmark for the next generation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"300mm Pot","offer_id":68039634518268,"sku":"BRAC-RUPE-300MM-SO","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039634551036,"sku":"BRAC-RUPE-400MM-SO","price":211.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039634583804,"sku":"BRAC-RUPE-100L-SO","price":562.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039634616572,"sku":"BRAC-RUPE-200L-SO","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/brachychiton-rupestris-queensland-bottle-tree-desert-kurrajong-100L-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793346557","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/brachychiton-rupestris","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}