A compact dwarf banksia with fine green foliage and gold and burgundy candle flowers through autumn and winter. A neat, bird-attracting feature for small gardens.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 50 cm H × 1 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Birthday Candles Banksia
Botanically, Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a slow-growing shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales. It reaches around 50 cm tall and 1 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Yellow and orange flowers appear in autumn and winter.
Where to grow Birthday Candles Banksia
Birthday Candles Banksia suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Birthday Candles Banksia does best in free-draining, sandy and poor soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Birthday Candles Banksia is very drought tolerant once established, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Birthday Candles Banksia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Birthday Candles Banksia in the garden
Birthday Candles Banksia earns its place for drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden, a feature or specimen planting and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Birthday Candles Banksia with other plants that enjoy the same very drought tolerant and warm-temperate climate. Repeat it through a border to tie the planting together and give a sense of rhythm. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Birthday Candles Banksia
Plant Sale lists Birthday Candles Banksia as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment it is available.