Overview

Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a bushy shrubs in the genus Banksia, part of the Proteaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include gravel garden, rock garden, banks and slopes, conservatory and greenhouse and ground cover.

About

Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a compact, low-growing evergreen shrub in the Proteaceae grown for its small mound and summer flowering. It reaches 0.1–0.5 metres high with a spread of 0.5–1 metre and forms a well-branched, long-lived clump. Flowering runs from June to September. It tolerates dry conditions and prefers a sunny, sheltered spot in free-draining loam or sand.

About the genus

Banksia is a genus of around 170 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes, and woody fruiting "cones" and heads. Banksias range in size from prostrate woody shrubs to trees up to 30 metres (100 ft) tall.

Wikipedia contributors, "Banksia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Banksia

In the garden

Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a small evergreen member of the Proteaceae and a compact form of Banksia suited to locations where a low, long-lasting shrub is required. It typically reaches 0.1–0.5 metres in height with a 0.5–1 metre spread and takes around 5–10 years to reach its mature size. Expect flowering from June to September. Place it in full sun on loam or sand with an acid to neutral pH and ensure the soil is well-drained; exposure should be sheltered and positions that face south or west suit it best. The plant is drought resistant, so once established it copes with dry periods; because its hardiness rating is H1a, give it protection from hard frost or grow it in a conservatory or greenhouse where winters are frost-free. Use 'Birthday Candles' in gravel and rock gardens, on banks and slopes, as a low ground cover or in containers for a conservatory. Its compact habit and slow approach to full height make it useful where a persistent, low evergreen is wanted; allow 5–10 years for the clump to fill out to its stated dimensions.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Banksia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1a

Plant details

Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' size, habit and characteristics

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

Gravel garden, Rock garden, Banks and slopes, Conservatory and greenhouse, Ground cover

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles'

Propagation

Seed sown singly in small containers at 18°C in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Pest resistance

Generally problem free

Disease resistance

Phytophthora root rot

Frequently asked questions