Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’ | Red Bottlebrush

Bring bold native colour and plenty of bird activity to the garden with Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’, a vigorous Australian bottlebrush known for its masses of deep crimson-red flowers.

The large bottlebrush blooms are produced heavily through spring, with further flowers often appearing through summer and autumn. These nectar-rich flowers attract birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial visitors to the garden.

‘Kings Park Special’ develops into a dense, upright shrub or small tree with narrow dark green foliage and slightly pendulous branches. It is an excellent choice for screens, informal hedges, native gardens, wildlife plantings and standalone feature trees.

Hardy and adaptable once established, it tolerates a broad range of soil types, coastal exposure, moderate frost and periods of dry weather.

Plant Size Note

Supplied as a young plant in a 42mm pot.

Plants in 42mm pots are small starter plants and will require growing time before reaching the mature size shown in example images.

Plants may not be flowering when dispatched. Height, branching, foliage and seasonal appearance will vary between individual plants.

Features

• Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’
• Commonly known as Kings Park Special Bottlebrush
• Australian native evergreen shrub or small tree
• Masses of deep crimson-red bottlebrush flowers
• Main flowering display during spring
• Further flowering possible through summer and autumn
• Large flower spikes that may reach approximately 12cm long
• Narrow dark green foliage
• Upright, dense growth habit with slightly pendulous branches
• Mature height approximately 3–5m
• Mature width approximately 2–4m
• Fast growing in suitable conditions
• Highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds
• Also attracts bees and butterflies
• Useful for screening, hedging and feature planting
• Drought tolerant once established
• Tolerates moderate frost
• Suitable for many coastal gardens
• Responds well to pruning
• Supplied in a 42mm pot

Planting & Care

Plant Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’ in full sun to part shade.

Full sun generally produces the strongest flowering and densest growth. It can tolerate some shade, although flowering may be reduced in darker positions.

Choose a position with free-draining soil. This adaptable variety can grow in sandy, loamy or clay-based soils, provided the site does not remain permanently waterlogged.

Water thoroughly after planting and maintain regular moisture while the young plant establishes. Once established, it develops good tolerance to dry periods, although occasional deep watering during extended hot or dry weather will support better growth and flowering.

Apply mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch slightly away from the main stem.

Feed during spring with a fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants. Avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers unless the product is specifically labelled as safe for natives.

Lightly prune after the main flowering display to maintain shape, encourage dense branching and promote future flowering growth.

Older plants can generally tolerate harder pruning if rejuvenation is required, although gradual pruning is preferable where possible.

Flowering Time

The main flowering display generally occurs during spring.

Additional blooms may continue through summer and into autumn, depending on climate, rainfall, plant maturity and growing conditions.

Landscape Uses

Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’ is suitable for:

• Native gardens
• Bird-attracting gardens
• Screening
• Informal hedging
• Feature shrub planting
• Small native trees
• Coastal gardens
• Wildlife corridors
• Large garden beds
• Rural and acreage plantings
• Commercial landscapes
• Wind-exposed positions

For a dense screen or informal hedge, plants may be spaced approximately 1–1.5m apart, depending on how quickly coverage is required and how regularly the plants will be pruned.

Allow more space when growing as an individual shrub or small tree.

Growing in Pots

Young plants can be grown in containers while establishing, but ‘Kings Park Special’ eventually becomes a large shrub or small tree and is best planted into the ground for long-term growth.

Use a quality native plant potting mix and a container with clear drainage holes.

Move the plant gradually into larger pots as the root system develops rather than placing a small starter plant directly into an oversized container.

Product Details

Botanical Name: Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’
Common Name: Kings Park Special Bottlebrush
Plant Type: Evergreen Australian native shrub or small tree
Supplied As: Young live plant in a 42mm pot
Flower Colour: Deep crimson red
Flower Form: Bottlebrush flower spikes
Flower Size: Up to approximately 12cm long
Foliage: Narrow, dark green leaves
Growth Habit: Upright, dense and slightly pendulous
Growth Rate: Fast in suitable conditions
Mature Height: Approximately 3–5m
Mature Width: Approximately 2–4m
Flowering Time: Mainly spring, with further flowering through summer and autumn
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Adaptable to many soil types with suitable drainage
Watering: Regular while establishing; drought tolerant once mature
Frost Tolerance: Moderate frost tolerance once established
Coastal Tolerance: Yes
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Bird Attracting: Yes
Uses: Screens, hedges, native gardens, feature planting and wildlife gardens

Important Note

Images show mature plants in flower and are provided as examples only.

You will receive a young starter plant in a 42mm pot. The plant may be small and may not be flowering when dispatched.

Plant size, branching, foliage and seasonal appearance will vary naturally. Plants may be trimmed before dispatch when required for safe transport or healthy future growth.

FAQ

What colour are the flowers?

‘Kings Park Special’ produces deep crimson-red bottlebrush flowers.

How large does it grow?

It generally grows approximately 3–5m tall and 2–4m wide, although mature size will vary with climate, soil, pruning and available space.

What size plant will I receive?

You will receive a young starter plant supplied in a 42mm pot.

Will it arrive in flower?

Not necessarily. Flowering depends on the plant’s age, season and growing conditions.

Is it fast growing?

Yes. ‘Kings Park Special’ is generally considered a fast-growing Callistemon in suitable conditions.

Does it attract birds?

Yes. Its nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.

Does it attract bees and butterflies?

Yes. The flowers can attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.

Can it grow in full sun?

Yes. Full sun is recommended for the strongest growth and flowering.

Can it tolerate part shade?

Yes, although plants grown in heavier shade may produce fewer flowers.

Is it drought tolerant?

Yes, once established. Young plants still require regular watering while developing their root system.

Is it frost tolerant?

It tolerates moderate frost once established. Young plants and fresh shoots may require protection from severe frost.

Is it suitable for coastal gardens?

Yes. It is suitable for many coastal and exposed garden positions.

Can it grow in clay soil?

Yes. It can tolerate clay, loam and sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate.

Can it be used as a hedge?

Yes. Its dense growth makes it suitable for screens and informal hedging.

How far apart should I plant them?

For screening or hedging, space approximately 1–1.5m apart, depending on the desired density and pruning style.

Can it be pruned?

Yes. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense new growth.

What fertiliser should I use?

Use a fertiliser formulated for Australian native plants and avoid products containing excessive phosphorus.