Brachychiton rupestris, Queensland Bottle Tree, is an iconic Australian tree that is both fast-growing and extremely drought tolerant. A mature specimen is one of those never-to-be-forgotten botanical moments and I well recall seeing it in the Sydney Botanical Gardens for the first time at the tender age of seventeen and being stopped in my tracks at the sight of it. Although each plant has its own idiosyncratic shape, the trunk generally forms a classic bottle shape with a tall bulbous girth that narrows at the shoulder to a smaller elongated neck from which the branches grow. The foliage is narrow and elongated with a glossy adaxial surface and a prominent midrib.

It is only relatively recently that enthusiasts have started experimenting with Brachychiton rupestris in the UK, mainly within the London microclimate. It is definitely not fully hardy in any sense of the word throughout the entire United Kingdom but if you live in one of the warmer parts of the UK like London or along the south or south west coast and can provide a well-curated microclimate this wonderful plant may be the very epitome of essential exotica that you've been waiting for. Its main requirements are space - it is a tree afterall and a tree that needs to admired without too much surrounding clutter - and a gritty well-drained substrate together with a warm sunny sheltered aspect ideally with enough overhanging protection to keep the worst of the frost from its foliage.

There is a lot of dross written on the internet about Brachychiton rupestris being slow-growing. Presumably these would-be experts have never grown it as anyone who has actually grown it knows how fast it grows. It does however take some time before it starts to assume the characteristic swollen shape. Although it is extremely drought-tolerant it appreciates being well-watered throughout the growing season - and surprise, surprise - will respond with vigorous growth. Lower branches can be pruned to keep its trunk growing straight. Protect younger plants from frost until they have substantial wood.

For experienced growers. Limited quantities.