A compact banksia with deep cherry-red and gold candle flowers through autumn and winter. A colourful, hardy and bird-attracting low feature shrub.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1 m H × 1.2 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Cherry Candles Banksia
Botanically, Banksia spinulosa 'Cherry Candles' is a slow-growing shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales. It reaches around 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Red and orange flowers appear in autumn and winter.
Where to grow Cherry Candles Banksia
Cherry 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
Cherry Candles Banksia does best in free-draining, sandy and poor soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Cherry Candles Banksia handles dry conditions well once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. New plantings need closer moisture checks in hot or windy weather, with watering tapered once strong new growth appears.
Pruning & care
Prune Cherry Candles Banksia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Cherry Candles Banksia in the garden
Cherry 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
Combine Cherry Candles Banksia with plants that share its preference for very drought tolerant and warm-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Cherry Candles Banksia
Plant Sale lists Cherry Candles Banksia as tube stock, potted plants and advanced specimens. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
