Hakea ulicina
furze hakea
Overview
Hakea ulicina is an evergreen shrub growing 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall and 3-7 feet (1-2 m) wide, with an erect, sometimes open habit and smooth grey branches. The leaves are stiff, narrow and needle-like to flattened-linear, 1.2-4 inches (3-10 cm) long, dark green, and tipped with a sharp point. Small cream to white flowers cluster in the leaf axils from late autumn through spring, each cluster 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) across and lightly scented. After flowering, woody seed capsules 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm) long develop and persist on the stems, opening to release winged seeds after fire or branch death. The species occurs naturally in heathland and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy and gravelly soils, and tolerates poor fertility, drought once established, and light frost. Its sharp-pointed foliage limits its use near paths and play areas. In gardens it is grown as a screening or habitat shrub, and its branches create dense cover used by small birds for nesting. Plants withstand hard pruning and reshoot from old wood.
Native Range
Hakea ulicina is native to southeastern Australia, where it grows in Victoria, southeastern New South Wales, southeastern South Australia, and parts of Tasmania. It occupies heathland, coastal scrub, and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy and gravelly soils.Suggested Uses
H. ulicina is grown as an informal screen, windbreak, or habitat shrub in low-water and coastal gardens. The dense, prickly branches shelter and feed small birds. Sharp foliage makes it unsuited to positions beside paths or seating.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 7'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Cream to white flowers open from late autumn into spring, mainly May to October, in small axillary clusters. The flowers carry a light honey scent and draw nectar-feeding insects and birds. Flowering is heaviest after a dry, sunny summer the previous season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cream to whiteFoliage Description
Dark 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 H. ulicina in full sun to light shade on free-draining sandy or gravelly soil of low to moderate fertility. It tolerates extended dry periods once established but is damaged by waterlogging and by high-phosphorus fertilisers, which harm members of the protea family. The species suits USDA zones 9-11 and withstands light frost to about 25F (-4C). Water through the first one to two summers to settle the roots, then reduce irrigation. A light application of low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring is sufficient.Pruning
Prune H. ulicina after flowering to keep the shrub compact, cutting back the current season growth by up to one third. The species reshoots readily from old wood, so hard renewal pruning is tolerated. Pruning also reduces the build-up of old woody capsules.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons