Callistemon Citrinus 'King's Park Special'
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King’s Park Special Bottlebrush / Crimson Bottlebrush
Botanical Name: Callistemon citrinus ‘King’s Park Special’ (syn. Melaleuca citrina ‘King’s Park Special’)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Australia — cultivar selected at Kings Park, Perth (species native to eastern Australia)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub to small tree
Overview
A show-stopping, flower-first bottlebrush renowned for its huge crimson-red brushes in late spring–summer (with a bonus autumn flush). Dense, tough and easy to shape, it’s excellent for hedging, screening, or as a bird-magnet feature in Adelaide and across SA. Thrives in full sun with good drainage and regular deep watering through its first summer.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 2.5–4 m H × 2–3 m W (can be kept 1.5–2.5 m with pruning)
- Growth Rate: 30-60 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Narrow, mid-green leaves; new growth may bronze/red-flush; citrus-aromatic when crushed
- Flowers: Very large crimson-red bottlebrushes (10–15 cm), peak late spring–early summer; occasional autumn repeat; rich nectar
- Seasonal Interest: Spectacular spring–summer colour; evergreen structure year-round
- Wildlife Value: Excellent nectar for honeyeaters, bees and other pollinators; shelter for small birds
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; heat and wind tolerant; second-line coastal OK; frost hardy to light–moderate frosts; suits SA clay loams if well-drained (mulch to keep roots cool)
- Planting Density: Hedge/screen: 1.0–1.5 m centres (closer for tighter hedge); Mass planting: 1–1.5 plants/m² for informal thicket; Specimen: 3–4 m from the next large shrub/tree
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun (best flowering) to light part shade
- Soil: Adaptable—sandy/loam to clay loam; avoid waterlogging; add compost on poorer sands/clays
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
- Maintenance: Lightly prune after flowering to keep dense and encourage next season’s bloom; can be clipped as a hedge; mulch annually; feed in early spring with low-P native fertiliser
- Lifespan: 15-25+ years
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA including Adelaide Plains, foothills and second-line coastal sites
- Soil pH: Neutral; tolerates slightly acidic–slightly alkaline (add iron chelate if leaves yellow on high-pH soils)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Hedging/screening with seasonal wow-factor
- Feature shrub/small tree for driveways and front gardens
- Bird-attracting planting with other SA-tough natives
- Low-maintenance streetscape/verge (where irrigation is available in first summer)
Why You Will Love It
Masses of giant crimson brushes, a dense, easy-care habit, and superb bird appeal—perfect for colourful Adelaide hedges and SA feature plantings.