| Botanic name | Banksia ericifolia |
| Other names | Heath-leaved Banksia |
| Main Origin | Eastern coast of Australia |
| Mature size | 3 – 4 m x 2 – 6 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Large bushy shrub |
| Foliage | Small, narrow, linear, dark green with a paler underside |
| Growth rate | Moderate to fast |
| Position | Full sun, light shade |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Occasional deep watering during extended dry periods |
| Climate | Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Large cylindrical spikes from yellow to red-orange |
| Use | Feature specimen, hedging, screening |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Few native plants combine bold beauty and practical performance quite like Banksia ericifolia. With its stunning, vibrant spikes and dense, finely textured foliage, this species brings a brilliant sense of drama to the garden, without demanding constant care.
Its blooms are striking in form and colour, attracting nectar-feeding birds and insects. Adaptable to various conditions, Banksia ericifolia thrives with little maintenance, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking impact with low input.
With an expansive range of cultivars offering diverse forms, sizes, and flower colours, Banksia ericifolia is highly versatile in landscaping projects. It remains a favourite not only for its striking appearance but also for the practical benefits to Australian gardens.
Origin and distribution
Banksia ericifolia is native to eastern Australia, where it typically grows in coastal and near-coastal heathlands, shrublands, woodlands, dry forests and swamps. The plant is primarily found in subtropical coastal regions, and thrives in warm and cold temperate and Mediterranean zones.
While its natural distribution is relatively specific, its popularity in cultivation has expanded its presence far beyond its native range. It is now widely grown in native gardens, public landscapes, and revegetation projects across non-tropical Australia.
Growth and care
Banksia ericifolia prefers a position in full sun for optimal growth and flowering, though it can tolerate light shade. Established plants can withstand low temperatures to -7°C and tolerate light frost well.
The species naturally thrives in well-drained soils such as sandy loam, deep sand, or sand over sandstone and is highly adaptable to heavier clay soils. It also tolerates a wide range of pH, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. While it can grow in most soil types, good drainage is paramount.
Banksia ericifolia is naturally found in coastal heaths and shrublands and is adaptable to various coastal conditions, including salt-laden wind, salt spray, and saline soils. This makes it highly suitable for exposed coastal sites.
Fertilisation is often not required as Banksia species are known for possessing proteoid roots, which are highly efficient at extracting nutrients from nutrient-poor soils. Banksia ericifolia is also profoundly intolerant of phosphorus.
If the plant shows slow growth or pale foliage in poor soil, consider a sparing application of a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season.
Banksia ericifolia generally requires minimal pruning, but regular light tip pruning can encourage a bushier form and promote more prolific flowering. Removing spent blooms also helps maintain shape. Coppicing (hard pruning to the base) is not recommended as it is absent of the lignotuber, unlike some Banksia species like Banksia spinulosa.
Features
Banksia ericifolia typically grows as a dense, rounded to upright evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching 2 to 6 metres in height. Its form is often bushy and well-branched, creating a substantial presence in the landscape.
The species is distinguished by its dense, fine, and needle-like foliage, akin to European heath, lending it the common name ‘health-leaved Banksia’. The crowded leaf arrangement along the stems creates a thick, lush texture.
The most captivating feature of Banksia ericifolia is undoubtedly its magnificent, cylindrical flower spikes, which erupt in a brilliant display of colour. Its blooms can reach impressive lengths up to 30 cm, standing prominently against the dense foliage.
These large blooms often start as vibrant yellowish to reddish-orange and deepen to a richer shade as they age, contrasting brilliantly with the deep green foliage. They last several weeks, even in a vase. As such, Banksia ericifolia is highly popular for native flower arrangements.
While some gardeners choose to remove spent flower spikes, many leave them on the plant, as they become a decorative feature as they age into woody seed cones, persisting on the plant for months or years.
These durable cones hold their seeds until stimulated by fire, a natural dispersal mechanism that ensures regeneration in its bushfire-prone native habitat.
Common cultivars
- Little Eric: A highly popular, compact variety, ideal for feature planting, container gardening, and low screening, featuring profuse blooming and dense growth to 2 metres tall.
- Bronzed Aussie: Another compact variety, featuring unusual bronzed red new growth and yellow, red, or orange flowers, reaching 2 metres tall.
- Red Rover: A more open variety with brighter, lime-green foliage, featuring spectacular, orange-red to terracotta-red flower spikes, growing to 2 metres tall.
- Dwarf Form: A vigorous variety known as Dwarf Heath Banksia, featuring yellow-orange to orange-brown flowers, with a mature height of 2 metres.
- Golden Girl: A compact, neat variety distinguished for unusual golden-yellow flower spikes and unique blue-grey foliage, attaining 1.8 metres in height.
- Bird Song: A hybrid with Banksia spinulosa, featuring dense, bright green foliage, and bird-attracting nectar-rich flowers, reaching 1.5 metres tall and wide.
- Giant Candles: Another hybrid with Banksia spinulosa, featuring exceptionally long, large flower spikes to 30 – 40 cm long, and dense shrubby growth to 4 metres.
