KUNZEA baxteri

This hardy shrub that grows well in most areas providing the soil is well drained. Erect stem with a lightly textured crown, narrow leaves 2 cm long.

Dense red bottlebrush like flowers appearing in winter and spring. Good bird attracting plant for the winter garden.

Endemic to Western Australia.

Prefers a light to medium well-drained dry rocky soil in an open sunny position, drought resistant but frost tender.

Although seed can be sown most of the year in Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C

1. Sow seed on surface of a porous seed raising mix. The seed will lodge in the the pores of the mix once watered.
2. Sprinkle a very light covering of the seed raising mix over the seed if required to hold the seed in place. Do not bury seed deeply.
3. Water with fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
6. Germination generally occurs in around 14-28 days in the right condition.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.

Australian Native Plants Society

Australian Native Plants Society - Australian Plants On-line - Genus Kunzea

Florabase WA

Wikipedia