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Hakea laurina

pincushion hakea

Proteaceae Southwestern Western Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Hakea laurina is an evergreen large shrub or small tree of the protea family, reaching 8-20 feet (2.5-6 m) tall and 8-15 feet (2.5-4.5 m) wide, with smooth grey bark and an upright, rounded crown. The blue-green leaves are leathery and laurel-like, 2.5-6 inches (6-15 cm) long, entire rather than divided, with several prominent lengthwise veins. From autumn into winter it produces globular flower heads 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm) across, each a deep crimson ball pierced by long cream styles, resembling a pincushion. The flowers are honey-scented and rich in nectar, drawing nectar-feeding birds. Native to the south coast of Western Australia, it grows on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils in a dry-summer climate, and is widely planted as an ornamental and street tree in warm-temperate and Mediterranean regions. It tolerates drought and poor soil once established but declines in wet, poorly drained ground and under prolonged hard frost. Growth is moderate, with flowering beginning a few years after planting. Woody seed capsules persist on the branches, and the dense crown can be pruned to shape after flowering.

Native Range

Native to the south coast of southwestern Western Australia, where it grows on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils in a dry-summer climate. It occurs in open scrub and woodland of the region.

Suggested Uses

Used as an ornamental specimen, screen, windbreak, and street tree in warm, dry-climate gardens. Suited to low-water and coastal plantings on free-draining soil, spaced 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) apart.

How to Identify

Identified by blue-green, leathery, laurel-like leaves 2.5-6 inches (6-15 cm) long with several prominent lengthwise veins, on a large shrub with smooth grey bark. The autumn-to-winter flowers are globular crimson pincushion heads 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm) across, pierced by cream styles. The combination of entire veined leaves and red-and-cream pincushion flowers sets it apart among hakeas.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 20'

Width/Spread8' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Fall Winter

Globular crimson pincushion flower heads open from autumn into winter, roughly May to August, along the branches. Each head is about 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm) across, crimson with protruding cream styles, and honey-scented. The nectar draws honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds through the cooler months.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Crimson with cream styles

Foliage Description

Blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 7-12 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Moderate; flowers in 3-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on free-draining sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils and tolerates dry summers once established. It needs sharp drainage and declines in wet, heavy, or poorly drained ground. Occasional deep watering during establishment is followed by only sparse watering in long dry spells, as established plants are drought-tolerant. As a member of the protea family, it grows in low-phosphorus soils and is sensitive to phosphorus-rich fertilizers. It tolerates light frost but is damaged by prolonged hard freezes. Pruning after flowering keeps the crown dense and controls size.

Pruning

Pruning after flowering keeps the shrub dense and controls size, and the plant tolerates fairly hard cutting back into older wood. Tip-pruning young plants encourages branching. Removing spent flower heads tidies the crown.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown

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Shrub

Hakea laurina

pincushion hakea

Proteaceae Southwestern Western Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Native Range

Native to the south coast of southwestern Western Australia, where it grows on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils in a dry-summer climate. It occurs in open scrub and woodland of the region.

Suggested Uses

Used as an ornamental specimen, screen, windbreak, and street tree in warm, dry-climate gardens. Suited to low-water and coastal plantings on free-draining soil, spaced 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) apart.