Banksia and Australian Native WaterWise Plants on CDRom

BANKSIA

Banksia ericifolia - leaf and flower detail.

Banksia ericifolia is an Austalian Native Waterwise Plant
Banksia ericifolia.

Banksia praemorsa is an Australian Native WaterWise Plant
Banksia praemorsa. Partially opened flower spike.

Banksia praemorsa is an Australian Native WaterWise Plant
Banksia praemorsa. Mature flower spike.

Banksia praemorsa is an Australian Native WaterWise Plant
Banksia praemorsa. Bush with mature and partially opened flower spikes.

Botanical Family PROTEACEAE
Genus BANKSIA
Place of Origin Australia
Species Banksia ericifolia, Banksia praemorsa
Height 3-7m/10-23ft (species dependent)
Flower Colour Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple
Flowering Season Mid Autumn - late Spring (species dependent)
Zones B. ericifolia 8-11, B. praemorsa 9-11
Common Name Banksia

Australian Native Evergreen Shrub/Tree
General Information
The genus Banksia, named after the famous English botanist Sir Joseph Banks, consists of approximately 70 species of shrubs and trees. All are Australian natives except for B. dentata, a species from New Guinea. Banksias are found in all states of Australia, however the majority of the species are native to the south western corner of Western Australia.

Flowers are tightly-packed, candle-like spikes that gradually open from the base upwards. These are followed by woody seeds cones that often contain the remnants old flowers. Flowers, foliage and seed capsules are prized by the cut flower industry. The flowers are an abundant source of nectar for honeyeating birds and insects, which in turn attract other insect-eating birds. Larger birds such as parrots and cockatoos feed on the seeds.

Banksias are suitable as ornamentals, windbreaks, screening and informal hedges.

Cultivation
Protect plant roots with either mulch or groundcovers to prevent fluctuations in soil temperatures. Young plants may need a deep soaking once a fortnight until established.

Plants grown in sandy soil may show a yellowing of leaves due to either a lack of iron (use iron chelates) or nitrogen (use a fertilizer high in nitrogen). Always use low phosphorous fertilizers as most species will not tolerate excessive amounts. Plants may not regenerate if pruned heavily into older wood. Shrubs with terminal flowers require light pruning only.

Propagation
Plants are propagated by seed or cuttings. In the wild seeds are released from cones after a bushfire or when a plant dies. To obtain seed in cultivation, place seed capsules in a hot oven or over a fire.

Disease
Banksias are prone to cinnamon fungus, Phytophthora cinnamomi, which can kill plants. Wilting and dieback of leaves and branches are indications that the fungus is present. Poor drainage, hot weather and excess moisture are conditions favourable to cinnamon fungus.

Species Banksia ericifolia
Place of Origin Australia (east coast, NSW & Qld)
Height 3-7m/10-23ft
Flower Colour Pink, Red, Orange
Flowering Season Mid Autumn/Fall - early Spring
Zones 8-11
Common Name Heath Banksia

Banksia ericifolia is found in eastern Australia in the coastal regions of New South Wales and Queensland and is one of the easiest Banksias to grow. A dense graceful shrub that can be grown as a specimen or used for hedging, screening and windbreaks. It will take seaside conditions, including salt spray.

The orange-red flowers spikes appear from mid autumn (fall) to early spring. They can be up to 30cm (12ins) in length and stand erect throughout the shrub. The short narrow leaves reach almost to the ground and are green on top and silvery/white underneath. The shrub varies in height from 3-7m (10-23ft) with a spread of 2-4m (6.5-13ft). The seed cones are long and narrow (seed readily germinates).

A dwarf form with orange-red flowers is available. It grows to 1m (3ft) high with a spread of 2m (6.5ft) and is suitable for pot culture.

	B. ericifolia 'Port Wine' has rose-pink flowers.
	B. ericifolia 'Burgundy' has deep red flowers.

This is a fast growing shrub suitable for cool to warm temperate and mediterranean regions that takes full sun to light shade and is frost hardy. Sandy well drained soil is best, but unlike other Banksias, it will adapt to heavier soils. For general information refer to cultivation, propagation and disease.

Medium tolerance to drought.

Species Banksia praemorsa
Place of Origin Australia (south-west Western Australia)
Height 4m/13ft
Flower Colour Red, Yellow, Green, Purple
Flowering Season Winter to late Spring
Zones 9-11
Common Name Cut Leaf Banksia

Banksia praemorsa is beautiful shrub native to Albany in the coastal south-west of Western Australia. From winter through to the end of spring, cylindrical flower spikes up to 35cm (14in) long and 10cm (4in) in diameter appear. They gradually open from the base upwards, beginning with yellow and blending to red at the tip. Flower colours can vary with mixtures of red, green, yellow and purple. Seed cones are the same size as the flower spikes and contain spent flowers.

B. praemorsa is a dense upright shrub to 4m (13ft) with toothed, wedge shaped leaves. The new foliage is a rusty brown, older leaves are green.

A shrub suitable for cool temperate and mediterranean climates in full sun or lightly shaded positions. It does best in well drained soils and is moderately lime tolerant. An outstanding shrub for coastal situations, gardens and windbreaks, it will withstand strong winds and is salt and frost tolerant. Propagate from cuttings and seed. For general information refer to cultivation, propagation and disease.

Medium tolerance to drought.

The WaterWise Garden

Extract from the Colourful WaterWise Gardening
Software

BANKSIA

The WaterWise Garden

Extract from the Colourful WaterWise Gardening Software

BANKSIA

Extract from the Colourful WaterWise Gardening
Software