About
Banksia ericifolia is a vigorous, bushy evergreen shrub characterized by its needle-like, dark green leaves. It produces tall, robust flower spikes that resemble bottle brushes, featuring blooms in shades of rusty orange to red during the autumn and winter months. These flower spikes can reach heights of up to 20 cm.
About the genus
Banksia are perennial shrubs and trees characterized by tough, glossy leaves that can be simple or pinnately lobed. They produce numerous small, tubular flowers grouped in dense spikes that create prominent, cone-shaped inflorescences, which eventually give way to woody fruit clusters.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Outdoors, grow in free-draining, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Under glass grow in equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, grit and peat substitute in full light with good ventilation. Apply half-strength, phosphate-free fertiliser once a month while in growth. Tolerates a light frost
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1 or pruning group 8
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free