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Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles'

dwarf hairpin banksia

Proteaceae

Eastern Australia (species); cultivar of garden origin

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles' is a dwarf evergreen cultivar of the hairpin banksia, forming a low mound 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide. The species Banksia spinulosa reaches 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall, so this selection is markedly smaller and more spreading. The leaves are narrow and linear, 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) long, deep green above with a finely toothed margin, forming a dense low cushion. Cylindrical flower spikes 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) tall and about 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide appear from autumn into winter; they are golden-yellow with protruding red-brown styles that give the spike a two-toned look. Flowering occurs from a young age, often within two years of planting. Banksia spinulosa and its cultivars tolerate light frost to about 23F (-5C), more cold than most western banksias. The plant grows in well-drained sandy or gravelly soil and is sensitive to high soil phosphorus. Spent spikes age to grey-brown and persist on the plant.

Native Range

The hairpin banksia, Banksia spinulosa, is native to eastern Australia, occurring in heath and open forest from Victoria through New South Wales to Queensland. The cultivar 'Birthday Candles' is a selected garden form of this species rather than a wild population.

Suggested Uses

Used as a low border plant, container specimen, and groundcover-scale shrub in low-water gardens, spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart. Its compact size suits small gardens and raised beds where larger banksias would be too big. The flower spikes draw nectar-feeding birds into the garden.

How to Identify

Identified by its low mounding habit under 18 inches (45 cm) tall, far smaller than the upright species. The narrow linear leaves form a dense cushion, and the golden-yellow flower spikes carry protruding red-brown styles. The spike colour and compact size separate it from taller forms of Banksia spinulosa.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Fall Winter

Flower spikes appear from autumn into winter, roughly March to July in the Southern Hemisphere. Each cylindrical spike is golden-yellow with red-brown styles and lasts several weeks. The flowers carry nectar that draws honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Golden-yellow with red-brown styles

Foliage Description

Deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light part shade in well-drained sandy or gravelly soil with an acidic to neutral pH of 5.5-7.0. Watering is low once established, though it accepts occasional summer water better than western banksias. Soil phosphorus is kept low, as Proteaceae are prone to leaf scorch and root damage from high-phosphorus fertilisers. It tolerates light frost to about 23F (-5C) but not hard freezes. Good drainage limits the risk of Phytophthora spp. root rot.

Pruning

Light pruning after flowering keeps the mound dense and tidy. Unlike many banksias, Banksia spinulosa has a woody lignotuber and reshoots after harder cutting back, so it recovers from rejuvenation pruning. Spent spikes can be removed or left to age on the plant.

Pruning Schedule

winter