Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Name: Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L 30cm/33cm 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

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

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree

Brachychiton populneus, commonly known as the Bottle Tree or Kurrajong, is a hardy Australian native recognised for its unique bottle-shaped trunk and lush green foliage. This evergreen species is drought-tolerant and highly suited to dry climates, offering strong performance with minimal maintenance.

Its glossy, lance-shaped leaves remain attractive year-round, while small, bell-shaped flowers appear in summer, adding seasonal interest. With its upright form and sculptural trunk, the Bottle Tree makes an excellent feature in rural gardens, urban landscapes, or water-wise designs.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5m – 10m

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree frost tolerant?

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

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree an Australian Native? 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.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Kurrajong (or Bottle Tree)

Genus: Brachychiton

Botanical Species: populneus

Family: Malvaceae

Botanical Name: Brachychiton populneus

Landscape Uses

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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Brachychiton populneus

Location Selection: Opt for a spot with good sunlight and well-draining soil.
Soil Preparation: While adaptable, it thrives in well-drained soil.
Digging: Excavate a hole approximately twice the diameter of the root ball.
Planting: Set the tree in the hole, backfill with soil, and tamp down gently.
Initial Watering: Water generously immediately after planting.

Hedging & Screening: Not suitable – upright, swollen trunk not ideal for screening

Feature Tree: 4 m – 6 m – Requires space to show off bottle-shaped trunk

Avenue Planting Trees: 6 m – 8 m – Works well in dry regions for structure and impact

Caring for Brachychiton populneus

Watering: Water deeply when the soil feels dry to touch, particularly during its establishment phase.
Mulching: Lay down organic mulch to retain soil moisture and curb weed growth.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required, mainly to shape and remove any dead or diseased branches.

Enhancing Soil for Robust Growth and Decorative Appeal

Ideal Drainage: Prefers well-drained soils.

Well-Draining Soil: Perfect for these hybrids, promoting healthy growth and resilience.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Ideal for its excellent drainage. Incorporate a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilizer to enhance leaf and flower development.
Clay Soil: Can be made suitable with amendments. Improve with organic compost and sand to enhance structure and drainage.
Loamy Soil: Great for Brachychiton hybrids, providing balanced moisture and nutrients. Maintain with regular mulching and organic amendments.
Peaty Soil: Ensure good drainage by mixing in sand or gravel, creating an ideal environment for these trees.

Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Brachychiton populneus - Bottle Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Cream

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.