PlantFiles: Bottlebrush, Bottle Brush
Callistemon 'Harkness'

Callistemon "Harkness" or "Gawler Hybrid" sets very little seed and cannot be reliably propagated by this method. The only sure way as with other hybrids is by vegetative reproduction.
This hybrid was in a batch of plants grown by Mr GLH Harkness in 1937 at Gawler Sth Aust. but not reproduced until 1948 when it was recognised as one of the best of all Callistemons and it has not been surpassed since for its ability to produce large numbers of big bottle brush flowers. It is widely used as a street tree in Sth Aust Towns and can attain a height of 20 ft or more but is usually more like 12ft.

There are 34 currently called Callistemon, it is sometimes difficult to tell which genus the species belong to. Bottlebrushes can be found growing from tropical north to temperate south, they often grow in damp or wet conditions, (along creek beds or in areas prone to flooding). the flower spikes can be red or yellow, the flower produces small woody fruit which contains hundreds of tiny seeds, the seeds are usually not released from the fruits for several years, most species are very hardy and will tolerate drought and are low maintenance. Plants grown in full sun produce the best flowers, I have also seen Bottlebrush thrive in Anaheim California, and have always loved the spectacular flowers and the way the birds and insects find it irresistible.