Hakea lissocarpha
honey bush
Overview
Hakea lissocarpha is a low, prickly evergreen shrub in the family Proteaceae, growing 12-59 inches (30-150 cm) tall and 24-59 inches (60-150 cm) wide. The rigid leaves are deeply divided into sharp, needle-like segments 0.4-1.2 inch (1-3 cm) long, giving the bush a stiff, spiny texture. Through winter and early spring the shrub is dotted with small clustered flowers along the stems, white to cream sometimes flushed pink, with a sweet honey scent. The flowers are followed by small, smooth, woody fruits about 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) long, each holding winged seeds. Hakea lissocarpha grows on sandy and lateritic soils in jarrah forest, woodland, and heath across south-western Western Australia and tolerates drought and poor soils. It is sensitive to high-phosphorus fertilisers and to wet, poorly drained ground. The dense, prickly habit gives shelter and nest sites for small birds, though the sharp foliage makes it awkward to handle. The scented winter flowering carries nectar through the cooler months.
Native Range
Hakea lissocarpha is native to south-western Western Australia, from the Geraldton region south and east through the wheatbelt and jarrah forest. It grows on sandy, gravelly, and lateritic soils in forest, woodland, and heath.Suggested Uses
Used as a low informal screen, barrier, and nectar shrub in low-water and native gardens on free-draining soils. The dense, prickly habit gives cover and nest sites for small birds and suits wildlife and habitat plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'11"
Width/Spread2' - 4'11"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in winter and early spring, around June to September in its native range. The small white to pink flowers are clustered along the older stems and are strongly honey-scented, drawing bees, honeyeaters, and other nectar feeders. Smooth woody fruits develop afterward and hold their winged seeds until they dry or burn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pinkFoliage Description
GreenGrowing 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 Hakea lissocarpha in full sun on sandy, gravelly, sharply drained soil that is low in nutrients. It withstands drought, heat, and exposed positions once established and tolerates light to moderate frost. Water lightly during establishment, then sparingly, as it is prone to root rot in wet or heavy ground. Use only low-phosphorus native fertiliser, since high-phosphorus feeds damage the roots of this family. Prune to shape after flowering, as it tolerates only light cutting into leafy wood.Pruning
Light tip pruning after flowering keeps the shrub dense and compact. Cutting back hard into older bare wood is poorly tolerated and may not reshoot. The sharp, divided foliage is awkward to handle without hand protection.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons