Australian Cultivar Registration Authority

Description:
Photographer:

Description:
Photographer:

Description: Callistemon viminalis 'Harkness', Taken: 24 January 2019, [HERBARIUM SPECIMEN] Copyright : Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR) holds copyright
Photographer: Palmer, R.

Callistemon 'Harkness'

File Number

28

ACRA Field Book Number

-

Registration Date

27/05/1978

Application Received

30/04/1974

Family

Myrtaceae

Cultivar Name

Callistemon 'Harkness'

Origin

Confusion has surrounded the origin of Callistemon 'Harkness' for many years. According to the person after whom it was named Mr GLJ Harkness of Gawler, SA "... it was obtained in 1937, and was purchased from Harris Scarfes Ltd; who were supplied by Kemp's Nurseries. It was received by me with approximately 25 other trees and shrubs... There were two Callistemon s in this order, Callistemon lanceolatus (now Callistemon citrinus) and Callistemon coccineus (now Callistemon macropunctatus). Callistemon citrinus turned out to be the hybrid which is still growing on my property. The first plants from Callistemon 'Harkness' were propagated by me in 1948. It has never set seed and propagating was done from cuttings". (The above passage is taken from the SA SGAP Journal Page 3, January 1970). Syn:Callistemon'Harkness Hybrid', Callistemon 'Gawler' and Callistemon'Gawler Hybrid'.

Characteristics

The leaves are entire and up to 130mm long by up to 12mm wide. The flowers are produced in long dense "bottlebrush" clusters. These clusters are produced in bunches of up to 11 "brushes". Individual "bottlebrushes" are red and up to 150mm long by about 55mm wide. The stamens are the colourful parts of the flower. Diagnosis: This cultivar is different from other Callistemon cultivars in its long dense and clustered red inflorescences.

Cultivation

Hardy, reliable and adaptable cultivar which flowers prolifically, growing well in most soils. Best in a sunny site but will tolerate some shade. It responds well to heavy pruning and is drought tolerant and frost hardy.

Publication

Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (1978), Callistemon Cultivars. Australian Plants 10(77): 23

Colour Coding

RHS Colour Chart, 1966 edition Flowers:Stamens:red 52A

Propagation

Cuttings from semi-firm new growth

Applicant Name

Mr GLJ Harkness

Uses

As part of a mass planting or mixed in a shrubbery, or as a spectacular feature plant.

Availability

Widely available, Kuranga nursery

ANBG Accession Numbers

ACC028, CBG8006348; G. Butler 1044

NSL ID

-