Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

$170.00

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Size: 30cm/33cm

30cm/33cm 40cm/45L 100L 150L 200L 400L

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
45L: 1.3m - 1.6m Approx.
100L: 1.4m – 2.1m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 20m (approx.)

Mature Width: 5m to 10m

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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About Your New Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Brachychiton populneus stores water in a thickened bottle-shaped trunk, which is why the Kurrajong stands green through droughts that strip everything around it. Graziers have relied on it as emergency stock fodder for generations, and it is one of the toughest shade trees in the country.

Brachychiton populneus grows to 10 to 20 metres tall and 5 to 10 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, forming a dense conical to rounded canopy of glossy dark green foliage. Cream bell-shaped flowers appear through spring and summer, followed by woody boat-shaped seed pods.

This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates extreme heat, drought and poor shallow soils. It grows in full sun and is widely used for shade, avenue and streetscape planting in hot inland districts.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Brachychiton populneus

How big does the Kurrajong grow?

Brachychiton populneus reaches 10 to 20 metres tall and 5 to 10 metres wide, forming a dense conical to rounded canopy. It suits acreage, parkland, streets and larger gardens.

Why is the trunk swollen?

The Kurrajong stores water in its thickened trunk, an adaptation that lets it survive extended drought. Older trees develop a pronounced bottle shape, which is where the common name comes from.

How drought tolerant is the Kurrajong?

Exceptionally. It is among the most drought and heat tolerant trees available in Australia and stays green through conditions that defoliate most other species.

Is Brachychiton populneus an Australian native?

Yes. It is native to eastern Australia from Queensland through New South Wales into Victoria, and is a familiar sight across inland grazing country.

Is it frost hardy?

Yes. It survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and equally tolerates extreme summer heat, which makes it unusually adaptable.

Does the Kurrajong drop much litter?

It sheds woody boat-shaped seed pods after flowering. The pods contain irritant hairs around the seeds, so they are best swept up rather than handled bare-handed.

How far apart should I plant Kurrajongs?

Plant 6 to 8 metres apart for an avenue, or 8 to 10 metres apart as individual shade trees so each canopy can develop fully.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Rural Property Planting
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes
Street Tree

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m to 20m (approx.)

Mature Width: 5m to 10m

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree frost tolerant?

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree Flower?

Brachychiton populneus produces clusters of cream to pale-pink bell-shaped flowers through summer. The blooms are lightly speckled and sit among the foliage, offering a subtle yet attractive seasonal display before giving way to woody seed pods.

Does Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is Native to Native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it grows naturally in dry inland regions and open woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree ?

Its flowers attract native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects, while the dense canopy provides shelter for small birds. The seed pods also support insects and seed-eating wildlife, contributing to a biodiverse and resilient garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree need?

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Brachychiton populneus performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can become stressed in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as it matures and develops its characteristic high drought resilience.

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree Drought Tolerant?

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Brachychiton populneus develops exceptional drought tolerance. Its swollen trunk stores water, allowing it to thrive in hot, dry and low-maintenance landscapes with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree in Different Soil

Brachychiton populneus performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bottle Tree's growth rate? It's a moderately fast grower under optimal conditions.
Are its flowers significant? Yes, the tree bears bell-shaped creamy flowers in the summer.
Does it have any specific soil preferences? While adaptable, it flourishes in well-drained soils.