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Hakea lissosperma

mountain needlewood

Proteaceae Southeastern Australian mountains

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Hakea lissosperma is an evergreen shrub to small tree of the mountains of southeastern Australia, growing 6.5–20 feet (2–6 m) tall with a dense, upright habit. The rigid, needle-like leaves are 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, grey-green, and tipped with a sharp point. Small clusters of white to cream flowers form in the leaf axils in spring, each cluster crowded with the curved flower parts typical of the protea family. After flowering, woody, beaked seed capsules about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long develop and persist on the branches, splitting to release winged seeds. Hakea lissosperma grows in subalpine and montane woodland, heath, and forest margins, often on poor, rocky soils, in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. It is frost-hardy and tolerates cold, wind, and snow, but is sensitive to humid, poorly drained, or warm lowland conditions. Its dense, prickly habit lends itself to use as a screen, windbreak, and barrier hedge in cool climates.

Native Range

Native to the mountains of southeastern Australia, in Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. It grows in subalpine and montane woodland, heath, and forest margins, often on poor, rocky soils.

Suggested Uses

Hakea lissosperma is used as a screen, windbreak, and prickly barrier hedge in cool-climate and mountain gardens. Its dense, spiny habit also supplies shelter and nesting sites for small birds.

How to Identify

Recognized by rigid, grey-green, needle-like leaves 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, each tipped with a sharp point. Small clusters of white to cream flowers form in the leaf axils in spring. Woody, beaked seed capsules about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long persist on the branches and split to release winged seeds.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6'6" - 20'

Width/Spread5' - 13'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, mainly September to November, when clusters of white to cream flowers open in the leaf axils. The flowers draw nectar-feeding birds and insects. Woody capsules form after flowering and remain closed on the plant for long periods.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to cream

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 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 Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Hakea lissosperma grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained, low-nutrient, rocky or sandy soils in cool climates. It is frost-hardy and tolerates cold, wind, and snow, but does poorly in heat, humidity, or wet, poorly drained ground. As a member of the protea family, it is sensitive to high phosphorus, so phosphorus-rich fertilizers are avoided. It is drought-tolerant once established and needs little supplementary water. Light pruning keeps the shrub dense and maintains a screen or hedge.

Pruning

Light pruning after flowering keeps the shrub dense and shapes a screen or hedge. It tolerates regular trimming of the outer growth but recovers slowly from hard cutting into bare old wood. The sharp-pointed leaves make close work around the plant awkward to handle.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown