A reliable evergreen shrub bearing golden-yellow flower spikes with distinctive hooked styles through autumn and winter, providing vital nectar for birds. Tough, frost-hardy and bushfire-adapted.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 3 m H × 2 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Hairpin Banksia
Banksia spinulosa is a moderate-growing shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. It reaches around 3 m tall and 2 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Yellow and orange flowers appear in autumn and winter.
Where to grow Hairpin Banksia
Hairpin Banksia suits warm-temperate and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is suitable for bushfire-prone (BAL) gardens and is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Hairpin Banksia does best in sandy, free-draining and poor soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 1.2 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Hairpin Banksia is happy on low water, 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 Hairpin Banksia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Hairpin Banksia in the garden
Hairpin Banksia earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden, cut flowers for the vase and a fast screen or informal hedge.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Hairpin Banksia with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Good to know
It is regarded as non-toxic and pet-safe.
Buying Hairpin Banksia
Plant Sale lists Hairpin Banksia as tube stock and potted plants. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment it lands.