Banksia collina
hill banksia
Eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales)
Overview
Banksia collina is an evergreen shrub in the family Proteaceae, often treated as a form of Banksia spinulosa, growing 3.3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall and 5-8 feet (1.5-2.5 m) wide. The narrow, linear leaves are 1.2-3.1 inch (3-8 cm) long with toothed or entire margins, dark green above and silvery beneath. From autumn into winter the shrub produces upright cylindrical flower spikes 2.4-6 inch (6-15 cm) long, packed with hundreds of golden-yellow to honey-coloured flowers, the protruding styles sometimes tipped red or purple. The spikes hold nectar that draws honeyeaters, lorikeets, and small mammals. Old spikes age to grey woody cones holding follicles that open after fire. Banksia collina grows on sandy and gravelly soils in heath and dry open forest and regrows from a woody lignotuber after burning. It is sensitive to high-phosphorus fertilisers, which can damage the roots, and to wet, poorly drained ground. The dense, upright habit and long winter flowering carry colour through the cooler months.
Native Range
Banksia collina is native to eastern Australia, in Queensland and New South Wales. It grows in heath, woodland, and dry sclerophyll forest, typically on sandy or gravelly low-nutrient soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a nectar shrub, informal screen, and feature plant in low-water and native gardens on free-draining soils. It supports nectar-feeding birds through winter and suits bird gardens, coastal plantings, and cut-flower beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3'4" - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Bloom Information
Flowering runs mainly from autumn through winter, around April to August in its native range. The cylindrical golden spikes are rich in nectar and draw honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds and mammals. Woody cones develop from the spent spikes and may hold their seed for years until fire.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Golden-yellow to honeyFoliage Description
Dark green above, silvery beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Banksia collina in full sun to light shade on sandy, gravelly, sharply drained soil that is low in nutrients. It withstands drought once established and resprouts from its lignotuber after fire or hard pruning. Water during establishment, then sparingly, as the shrub is prone to root rot in wet or heavy ground. Use low-phosphorus native fertiliser only, since members of this family are damaged by standard high-phosphorus feeds. It tolerates light to moderate frost. Mulch lightly and keep the root zone free-draining for steady growth.Pruning
Prune after flowering, cutting back into leafy wood to keep the shrub dense; it also reshoots from the lignotuber if cut harder. Removing spent flower spikes is optional and does not affect later flowering. Cut stems can be taken for indoor display as the spikes are long-lasting.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons