Banksia

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

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

Giant Candles mirrors its name producing prolific numbers of massive orange, long-lasting flower spikes that are contrasted beautifully against dark green foliage. Flowering continues from autumn to spring, and native birds and bees love the nectar-rich flowers. It can be planted as a 'playground friendly' screen, hedge, feature plant, erosion control, and windbreak.

Soil: Adaptable to most soil types.
Conditions: Grows inland or at the coast, moderate frost and drought hardy, tropical or temperate climates.
Size: Height 3-4m x width 2m

Banksia New Dawn is a much-loved Australian native shrub with a naturally dense, upright habit. From winter through to spring it produces pale lemon flower spikes up to 15 cm long, creating a soft yet striking display when many other plants are resting. The blooms are rich in nectar and highly attractive to birds, while the thick foliage provides valuable shelter for wildlife. Its stretched oval leaves are beautifully splayed along straight, woody stems, giving the plant strong architectural form and year-round appeal. The long-lasting flowers are also popular for cut arrangements, holding their colour and shape well in floral displays. 

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Coastal, salt, wind, light frost and drought-tolerant.
Size: In a garden, it can grow up to 3–4m tall and 2–3m wide, but regular pruning can help maintain a smaller, more compact size, particularly in pots or small spaces.

Banksia ilicifolia, commonly known as the Holly-Leaved Banksia, is a distinctive Western Australian native tree with close botanical links to the former dryandras. Unlike the classic cylindrical flower spikes that most banksias are known for, this species produces unusual dome-shaped flower heads, making it instantly recognisable in the landscape. The dark green foliage is sharply serrated and strongly resembles holly leaves, giving rise to its common name. The leaves form a dense canopy, providing year-round structure and texture in the garden. Flowering mainly in spring, the blooms emerge creamy-pink and gradually deepen to rich red tones as they mature. These nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to birds, bees and other beneficial insects, bringing vibrant wildlife activity into the garden.

Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of soils.

Conditions: Full sun. Coastal and drought hardy. Light frost tolerance.

Size: Height 10-12m x width 2m