Banksia

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Coastal, salt, wind, frost, and drought tolerant.
Size: In a garden, it can grow up to 4–6m tall and 3–4m wide, but regular pruning can help maintain a smaller, more compact size, particularly in pots or small spaces.

Banksia caleyi, commonly known as Red Lantern Banksia, is a hardy, bushy evergreen shrub prized for its bold form and striking floral display. Endemic to a narrow coastal strip between Albany and Esperance in Western Australia, this spectacular banksia produces dramatic reddish-maroon, inverted flower spikes from spring through summer. The nectar-rich blooms are a magnet for birds and insects, adding life and movement to the landscape. It features thick, leathery, glossy green foliage that provides year-round structure and contrast in the garden. Pruning after flowering encourages dense regrowth and helps maintain a compact, tidy habit. Red Lantern Banksia is well suited to native gardens, general landscaping, mass plantings, embankments, and can also be grown successfully in large pots and containers.

Soil: Prefers gravelly shallow well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged soils.
Conditions: Full sun. Wind, salt, coastal and drought tolerant. Frost tender.
Size: Height 2-4m x width 2-4m

Banksia grandis, also known as Bull Banksia, is an iconic Western Australian shrub renowned for its spectacular yellow flower heads and large, toothed foliage. Standing tall as a small tree or large shrub, it serves as a striking feature in any garden, particularly suited for coastal areas. With a height range from 5 to 10 metres, some specimens can even reach up to 15 metres under optimal conditions.  Although it is slow to flower, the wait is well worth it for the stunning foliage. It is phosphorus sensitive, thus benefiting from a good native fertiliser during feeding time.

Soil: Adaptable to most soil types.
Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Drought, light frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 8m x width 5m

Banksia marginata, the only banksia occurring naturally in the Canberra region, is a hardy and eye-catching Australian native. Its distinctive foliage is dark green on the upper surface with a silvery underside, creating a striking two-tone effect when stirred by the breeze. From winter through to summer, bright green-yellow banksia flower spikes appear, adding colour and attracting birds and pollinators. Silver Banksia makes a beautiful stand-alone feature in the garden and is well-suited to native landscapes, where its texture, seasonal flowers, and resilience can be fully appreciated.

Soil: Well-drained soils.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Wind, salt, coastal, frost and drought tolerant.
Size: Height 1-12m x width 1-8m