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Shrubs

Banksia ericifolia

A fast-growing, bushy evergreen shrub with needle-like dark green foliage and tall, thick, cylinder-shaped flower spikes of rusty-orange to red bottle-brush like flowers in autumn and winter. Flower spikes can grow up to 20cm tall

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Proteaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Banksia are evergreen shrubs and trees with leathery, often handsome, simple or pinnately lobed leaves and many small tubular flowers in dense spikes forming showy, cone-like heads, followed by woody fruiting clusters
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in free-draining, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Under glass grow in equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, grit and peat substitute in full light with good ventilation. Apply half-strength, phosphate-free fertiliser once a month while in growth. Tolerates a light frost

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Banks and slopes
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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