Description

Banksia spinulosa is a hardy species growing to approximately 6.5' tall and 3-5' wide. It is frost tolerant, grows well in coastal conditions and has very attractive flowers. The natural habit is a somewhat sprawling shrub, it is the named varieties that are best suited to garden use as they are generally more compact with better flowers. Characterized by long, narrow, green foliage which is attractive through the year, it is the flowers that appear from autumn through winter that are the main attraction to gardeners and birds alike.Large cylindrical flower spikes usually in tones of orange to red. In some cultivars these can reach 15cm in length, often smaller. Best grown in a sunny position in a well drained, humus rich, sandy soil, the new cultivars require very little care however tip pruning to maintain a bushy habit is recommended. Only use a specially formulated low phosphorus native plant fertilizer. Usually very little fertilizer is required. Yellow foliage is an indication that some may be needed. Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run and water deeply every few weeks through the first summer. The lower growing varieties make excellent potted specimens in a sunny position. The pot will lift the plant making the flowers more prominent as they appear. This shrub is frost tolerant and established plants are drought tolerant.