Banksia
Banksia species and cultivars
Proteaceae
Banksias are not grown in home gardens as often as some other groups of Australian native plants, but they're worth considering especially if you live on the soil types where Banksias tend to occur naturally.
The colours are subtle, but the dramatic forms would certainly work well with contemporary architecture and modernistic garden styles.
Selected garden cultivars with improved horticultural characteristics are available in nurseries. Including the selected forms and hybrids, Banksias are available in a range of plant sizes from small trees to groundcovers.
Some experimentation with different varieties may be required to find one that grows best in your situation.
Some of the Banksias (and other members of Proteaceae) are very sensitive to Phosphorous, so take care with fertilisers.
More information to come in future updates. In the meantime, check out the links at the bottom of the page.
Banksia causes buzz abroad
There's excitement at the UK's Wakehurst Place (a branch of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) at the flowering of their Banksia montana. This is possibly the first time this has been achieved outdoors in that country. More information at the Kew website: Banksia flowers outdoors (Nov 2004)
Links
Banksias Australian National Botanic Gardens
Species
Wallum Banksia Banksia aemula (=
Banksia serratifolia) Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Wallum Banksia Banksia aemula (includes hints on how to distinguish it from B. serrata) Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
On the Brink - 10 (Banksia cuneata) Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Heath Banksia Banksia ericifolia Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Rusty Banksia (
Banksia oliongifolia, Dwarf Banksia) Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Bayside Branch
Swamp Banksia (
Banksia robur) Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Bayside Branch
Coastal banksia (
Banksia integrifolia) Factsheet download page Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Govt.
Coast Banksia Banksia integrifolia subsp.
integrifolia Coastal Plant Regeneration, Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, NSW
Starlight's Banksia (
B.paludosa subsp.astrolux) Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Banksia praemorsa Botany Photo of the Day, University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
Other Links
Banksias Discussion of Banksia production for cut flowers. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (PDF)
Warning: collection, destruction, propagation, movement, sale or purchase of any Australian native plant (including seeds or spores) may be subject to laws and regulations. Be sure to check with appropriate authorities before engaging in these activities, even on private property. Other laws may also apply to the treatment and movement of plant or soil material (for example, to control the spread of weeds, pests and diseases.)
