Skip to content

Volume Discounts Apply At Checkout

Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

Most loved for its brilliant large crimson-red bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer, paired with dense evergreen foliage, making it one of the showiest bottlebrush cultivars.

Regular price $280.00
Sale price $280.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
Size: 40cm/45L
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
40cm/45L

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Quantity

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
40cm/45LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$280.00
75LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$430.00
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$700.00
150LApprox. height: Please enquire$970.00

Height guide & disclaimer

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 must confirm 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.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

Delivery is calculated at checkout.

Ask a question

The fields marked * are required.

Not sure how many trees you need?

Plan your hedge

Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.

Choose your planting spacing

Enter your boundary length to see how many trees you need.

Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.

Compare trees

Choose two trees and compare the same pot size.

    About Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS'

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' carries some of the largest and most intensely crimson bottlebrush flowers of any cultivar, held in heavy flushes through spring and summer against dense evergreen foliage. It is among the showiest bottlebrushes available and a reliable magnet for honeyeaters.

    'KPS' grows to 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide at 50 to 80 centimetres per year, filling in densely from the base without needing to be clipped into shape. It works as a fast informal screen along a boundary, a mass planting in civic and rural landscapes, or a specimen in a large pot.

    This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor soils, extended dry and periodic wet feet once established. It grows in full sun and asks for nothing beyond a light trim after each flowering flush.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Callistemon 'KPS'

    How tall does Callistemon 'KPS' grow?

    'KPS' grows to 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide with a dense habit. It can be held lower with a trim after flowering if a shorter screen is wanted.

    What makes 'KPS' different from other bottlebrushes?

    'KPS' is a hybrid of Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis, selected for unusually large, deeply crimson flower spikes and dense foliage. It is one of the showiest bottlebrush cultivars grown.

    When does 'KPS' flower?

    The main flush is through spring and summer, with sporadic flowering at other times. Flowering is heavy enough to cover much of the canopy.

    How fast does 'KPS' grow?

    It grows at 50 to 80 centimetres per year once established, forming a usable screen within two to three years with regular water through the first summers.

    Does 'KPS' attract birds?

    Yes. The nectar-rich crimson flowers are worked heavily by honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees, and the dense branching shelters smaller birds.

    Is Callistemon 'KPS' frost hardy?

    Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, suiting it to inland tablelands as well as coastal gardens.

    How far apart should I plant 'KPS' for a screen?

    Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 2 to 3 metres apart where each plant should read as an individual shrub.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    Form
    • Shrub
    • Spreading
    • Upright
    Use
    • Screening or Privacy
    • Shrubs
    • Rural Property Planting
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Council or Civic Landscapes
    • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
    Mature height
    3m to 5m (approx.)
    Mature width
    2m to 3m

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    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 Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

    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.

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

    • Fast Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

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

    Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

    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 inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush in Different Soil

    Callistemon citrinus 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.

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

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

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush works in an:

    • Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
    • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
    • Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
    • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.
    • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

    Is Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

    Mature Height: 3m to 5m (approx.)

    Mature Width: 2m to 3m

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

    Growth Rate of Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (approx.).

    They are considered to have a:

    • Fast Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    Is Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush frost tolerant?

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

    Does Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush Flower?

    Callistemon ‘KPS’ produces masses of bright red bottlebrush flowers from spring through summer, with a lighter repeat flowering in autumn. The vivid blooms form at the ends of the branches, creating a bold, eye-catching display that contrasts beautifully with its soft, pendulous foliage.

    Does Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Sporadic

    Flower Type:

    • Fluffy

    Flower Colour:

    Red

    Is Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush an Australian Native Tree?

    Yes

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush is Native to A selected hybrid of Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis, both native to eastern Australia where they grow naturally along streams, forests, and open woodlands.

    What is the Wildlife Value of Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush ?

    Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, while the dense foliage provides shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds. Its extended flowering season helps support pollinators across much of the year.

    How much Sunlight does Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush need?

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun

    Preferred Soil?

    Callistemon ‘KPS’ performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It tolerates poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and develops its characteristic high drought resilience.

    Is Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush Drought Tolerant?

    Is Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush Drought tolerant?

    As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Callistemon ‘KPS’ develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry and coastal environments and maintains reliable flowering and strong foliage cover with minimal supplementary watering.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Is 'KPS' suitable for coastal gardens? Yes, it's adaptable to saline environments, making it fit for coastal settings.
    • How often should I fertilize? A slow-release native fertilizer in spring enhances growth and flowering.

    Compare sizes side by side

    40cm/45L

    Enquire for current heights

    75L

    Enquire for current heights

    100L

    Enquire for current heights

    150L

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' is loved for its brilliant large crimson-red bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer, paired with dense evergreen foliage, making it one of the showiest bottlebrush cultivars.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

    Plant Your Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush With:

    Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

    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.

    youtube Load video:

    Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:

    Perfect Substitutes for Callistemon citrinus x viminalis 'KPS' - Bottle Brush

    Follow Us On Instagram

    @evergreentreesdirect ↗
    Evergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees Direct
    youtube Load video: