Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush

Name: Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: CALLISHARKNE45L
Price: 250.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

9963 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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 Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' is a compact, evergreen Australian native shrub with dense growth and vivid red bottlebrush flowers. It’s ideal for hedging, screening, borders, and native gardens, offering year-round structure and reliable flowering.

It typically grows 1.5–2.5 metres tall with a bushy form that responds well to pruning. Crimson-red flowers appear in spring and again in late summer, attracting birds, bees, and beneficial insects. The fine foliage is aromatic when brushed, adding sensory appeal.

They look excellent when planted as a low hedge or grouped in native plantings. Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' thrives in full sun, tolerates light frost, and is drought-tolerant once established, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance, bird-friendly, and coastal gardens.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m - 4m Approximately

Mature Width: 1.5m – 2m

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush is expected to grow Approx. 40 – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush frost tolerant?

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Flowering Information

Callistemon citrinus ‘Harkness’ produces brilliant red bottlebrush flowers from late spring through summer, often with a lighter flush in autumn. These vivid, cylindrical blooms sit prominently at the ends of the branches, creating a bold and highly ornamental seasonal display.

Native Information

Is Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush an Australian Native? Yes

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush is Native to Eastern Australia, particularly New South Wales and Victoria, where Callistemon citrinus naturally grows along streams, wetlands, and open forests.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects, while the dense, evergreen foliage provides excellent shelter for small birds. The long flowering period offers sustained support for pollinators throughout the warmer months.

Sunlight Information

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Callistemon citrinus ‘Harkness’ performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It tolerates nutrient-poor soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged positions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as it matures and develops excellent drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Harkness Bottlebrush

Genus: Callistemon

Botanical Species: citrinus

Family: Myrtaceae

Botanical Name: Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness'

Landscape Uses

Screening or Privacy
Shrubs
Rural Property Planting
Revegetation or Regeneration
Council or Civic Landscapes
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
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 Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness'

Select a Site: Choose a location with good sunlight and well-draining soil.
Prepare the Soil: Enrich the ground with compost or organic matter for better results.
Dig a Hole: Ensure it's around twice the size of the root ball.
Planting: Position the Callistemon in the hole, backfill with soil, and water generously.

Hedging & Screening: 1 m – 1.5 m – Compact, upright, and great for colourful screening

Feature Tree: 1.5 m – 2.5 m – Room to show flowers and form

Avenue Planting Trees: 3 m – 4 m – Narrow form suitable for tighter rows

Caring for Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness'

Watering: Water consistently initially. Diminish frequency as the plant matures.
Mulching: Spread a layer of organic mulch to keep moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning: Trim post-flowering to maintain its form and encourage bushier growth.

Optimizing Soil for Vibrant Blooms and Attractive Foliage

Ideal Drainage: Callistemon species do best in well-drained, slightly acidic soils.

Well-Draining Soil: Perfect for promoting vibrant flowering and health.

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

Sandy Soil: Excellent for Callistemon; maintain fertility with controlled-release, low-phosphorus fertilizers.
Clay Soil: Typically challenging for Callistemon; heavily amend with gypsum, sand, and compost for better drainage and root health.
Loamy Soil: Very good if well-drained; avoid over-enrichment which can lead to lush growth at the expense of blooms.
Peaty Soil: High organic content is beneficial; ensure it is well-drained with the addition of perlite or sand to avoid root rot.

Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush is expected to grow Approx. 40 – 60 cm per year.

Fast 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 benefits from regular watering, but once established Callistemon ‘Harkness’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It performs reliably in hot, dry and coastal environments, maintaining strong flowering and dense foliage with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' – Harkness Bottlebrush flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer
Spring
Sporadic

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

Red

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Callistemon citrinus 'Harkness' thrive in pots? Yes, with proper drainage, it's suited for container planting.
What's the best time to prune? Late spring or after its main flowering season.

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