With brilliant red flowers that attract birds and bees to the garden, Kunzea baxteri, also known as Crimson Kunzea or Scarlet Kunzea, works well as a screening plant.
This is an easy-to-prune native plant, so you could also use it as an informal hedge or barrier plant. It forms a dense, spreading clump and can be useful where a hardy native screening plant is required.
The flowers are typical ‘bottlebrush type’, compact and appearing in masses. The brilliant crimson flowers make a particularly good display from winter into spring and are attractive to a range of birds and insects.
Like many Western Australian plants, Crimson Kunzea is best planted in a position where it receives good airflow and relatively low humidity. A well-drained soil is essential, particularly in areas with heavier rainfall or humid conditions.
How To Grow Kunzea baxteri – Basic Care
Once established this is very easy care. Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run. Provide some water through the first summer and thats about it.
Pruning
The time two prune is directly after flowering. It is best to prune regularly rather than cut back hard.
Light
Best grown in full sun or just little afternoon shade. Deep shade is not suitable as it may encourage scale and fungal problems.
Water
Water well when first planting and provide some moisture through the first summer.
Fertiliser
A general purpose native plant fertiliser applied once a year in spring should be adequate.
Avoid excessive fertilising, particularly with high-phosphorus products. A light application of a suitable native plant fertiliser is generally all that is required.Soil
A well-drained soil is essential.
Kunzea baxteri will grow best in a soil that drains freely and contains some organic matter. If the soil is heavy or poorly drained, improving drainage before planting is important.Propagation
Propagated from cuttings, and also possible from seed. Cuttings are best taken in late spring to summer.
Semi-hardwood cuttings can be used for propagation, although seed is also possible. As with many native plants, propagation from seed can take longer to produce a flowering-sized plant.
Growing Kunzea baxteri in the Garden
Crimson Kunzea is a useful Australian native for informal screening, hedging and background planting. Its dense growth and attractive crimson flowers give it interest as both a foliage plant and a flowering shrub.
Allow enough room for the plant to develop naturally, particularly if it is being used as a screen. Regular light pruning can keep it more compact and encourage a bushier habit.
The flowers are one of the main features of this species, and their bright red colour can provide a welcome display through the cooler months.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Kunzea baxteri.
- Common Name – Crimson Kunzea, Scarlet Kunzea
- Family – Myrtaceae
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Soil – Well drained, humus rich soils.
- Height – To around 4 metres, often smaller
- Spread – Forms a clump to around 2 – 4 metres.
- Growth rate – Medium.
- Flowers – Crimson Red.
- Flowering time – Winter to spring.
- Foliage – Mid green.
- Frost tolerant – Light frosts only.
- Drought tolerant – Yes, once established.