About
Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a low-growing, evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height of about 50 cm. It features slender, needle-like leaves in a deep green hue. This variety produces cylindrical flowerheads that resemble bottlebrushes, displaying shades of orange-yellow to brown.
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
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean climate plants, 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 from seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally problem free
- Disease resistance
- Generally problem free