Kunzea are frost tender evergreen shrubs originating from Australia with ‘bottlebrush’ flowerheads similar in appearance to those of Callistemon or Melaleuca. They are closely related to Leptospermum (although with very different flowers) but less hardy than this genus.
Several species of Kunzea grow well at Ventnor Botanic Garden in the Isle of Wight under the shelter of overhanging eucalyptus. Elsewhere in the UK these are seaside shrubs grown in hot locations (perhaps against a wall) in full sun with some protection from cold easterly winds or confined to the greenhouse elsewhere. They can make attractive pot grown patio shrubs but will need to come inside for the winter.
Kunzea amigua has an upright habit with narrow linear leaves. The ‘bottlebrush’ flowers are white and carried in leafy clusters with a strong sweet scent in early summer.
When grown in the greenhouse they may need a light pruning after flowering to prevent them becoming straggly. New growth cuttings can readily be rooted in mid-summer with bottom heat.
