Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush introduction

Named after a famous Botanical Garden in Perth, Western Australia, the Callistemon variety Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ have a wide spreading and open habit. The shrub attains a height of about 4 meters if left unpruned, thus forming a small tree suitable for small gardens and landscapes. The fragrant lance-shaped foliages are bright green in color and freely attached on pendant branches. Similar to regular Callistemon, bright red ‘Kings Park Special’ flowers are borne as cylindrical spikes at the tip of hanging branches. The nectar rich Bottlebrush flowers are a treat to watch throughout the Spring to Autumn and will be as equally popular with the native fauna.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush planting

Naturally rounded habit of the Bottlebrush variety ‘Kings Park Special’ can be exploited as informal hedges and fence planting. If left unpruned the plant can be grown into a small tree for smaller landscapes as a feature plant. The open and spreading nature of the Callistemons makes it difficult to contain them as a potted variety or indoor plant. The mass plantings of Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ turns out to be the most loved spot for native birds and animals. Highly adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, ‘Kings Park Special’ Bottle brush is an ideal ornamental for exposed coastal gardens and other difficult spots.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush lighting and position

The evergreen Bottle brush, Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ loves to be under full bright sunlight. Though the plant tolerates light shade, open and well-lit positions will ensure that you have a happy Bottlebrush. The cascading, tender branches of Callistemon can withstand heavy winds and as a dense shrub prove to be a great option for wind-breaks.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush soil and fertilisation

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ is famous for its tough nature and are high adaptability to various soil types. The plant survives in sand, clay, loams or even poor soils but will appreciate good draining properties. Coastal sands and dry soils are also fine for growing the ‘Kings Park Special’ variety. Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ tolerates heavy frost and drought which makes it one of the best Bottle brush varieties ever. Feed a native all purpose fertiliser during the growing season with Spring and Autumn being the best times.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush watering

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ needs minimal maintenance, as it can go without water for weeks once established. The ‘Kings Park Special’ variety has good drought tolerance levels and thus performs well in dry soils. A young developing Callistemon expects some light drizzle occasionally and especially over the hotter growing months.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush pruning and maintenance

Light pruning of your Bottle brush right after flowering encourages denser branching and more flowers the following year. You may trim away the lower most floppy branches to keep your ‘Kings Park Special’ tidy. Heavy pruning is also appreciated by Callistemon if you are to have it as a hedge or screen plant. Bottlebrushes can tolerate hard pruning as the dormant buds readily grow into new branches.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush propagation

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ can be easily propagated by seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings.

Cuttings of 15-20 cm long can be obtained during late Summer or mid-Autumn. Treat it with a regular rooting solution and plant it in a potting mix with equal amounts of potting soil and perlite or garden compost. Moist the setting regularly till the cutting becomes established.

Seeds collected from the Bottle brush flowers can be sown into a tray of soil with the same above mentioned composition. Cover the seeds lightly with some compost. Drizzle water regularly and keep the setup under bright indirect sunlight till the seedlings emerge.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush common pests and diseases

Bottlebrush varieties are generally resilient to native pest attacks as is the ‘Kings Park Special’. Grown under glass house the plant shows occasional attacks of glasshouse red spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects, which can be readily treated with general insecticide soap solutions. Deficiencies in the growing conditions like water-logged soils, poor availability of sunlight and salt depositions in the soil causes the plant to be lifeless and stunted in growth.

For more information on how to manage common plant pests, head to our blog here.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush toxicity

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ is a safe plant to grow around your kids and pets.

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ – Bottlebrush Design Tips

The prolific red flowers of the Kings Park Special is certainly the number one attraction of this magnificent shrub. The striking red bloom can look magnificent against a black backdrop such as a modern charred timber wall. The dark spindly foliage can be offset by being beside plants with more vibrant, lush, lime greens such as Acacia Cognata or Dodonaea viscosa. If used for hedging and especially a more relaxed hedge, Lilly Pilly Cascade can be a great choice that will work well beside the bottle brush. For tiered hedging it can look good in front of Juniperus virginiana Spartan, with a smaller light green hedge in front to create interest and variety in colour, texture and form.