Scientific Name: KUNZEA baxteri
Common Name: Scarlet Gold-tipped Kunzea
Alternative Common Name: Scarlet Gold-tipped Kunzea
Family: Myrtaceae
Height: Up to 3m (10′)
Width: Up to 3m (10′)
Description: Brilliant, fast growing shrub with soft narrow leaves.
Flowers: Dense, scarlet, bottlebrush-type flowers with a halo of gold tipped stamens that decorate the bush for about 4 months each year in Winter, Spring and Summer. Very showy Kunzea.
Soil: Prefers light to medium dry, rocky soils but can adapt to almost any well-drained soil. Light mulch over the root area.
Aspects: Hardy, drought resistant plant which will attract nectar feeding birds to the garden. Grows easily and reliably from seed. Can be frost tender so sow seeds after risk of frost has passed.
Habitat: Occurs naturally in the south and south-west coastal areas of Western Australia. Readily adapts to cultivation in many other areas, given suitable conditions.
Growing: Fill small pots with moist, sandy soil. Compress. Sow several seeds on surface of soil-do not cover seeds. Place pots in shallow container and pour in enough water to submerge the pots by one-third. Top up water level as required.Cover clear polythene to preserve moisture and warmth. Place pots in a warm, shaded position and keep moist. Remove cover once germination starts.
Landscape: Open gardens, rockeries
Cultivation: Protect from snails. When seedlings are large enough, thin them out to 3 seedlings in each pot. At 5cm (2″) high, thin out to the strongest seedling in each pot and remove pots from water container. Plant seedlings out to garden at about 10cm(4″) high. Water in well. Water regularly until established, then water occasionally in dry weather.
Seed Starter Required: Helpful.
