Banksia Blechnifolia

Banksia blechnifolia – blechnum banksia

APPEARANCE: Native groundcover, very distinctive, spreading and vigorous, with firm upright blechnum-fern-like or grevillea-like leaves, patterned beneath in silver like fern spore; stems and new growth are felty-furry, tan-orange. Tucked underneath in spring are dark rust-red cylindrical flower candles with feathery bases, that open into fatter cylinders of rust-red-orange flowers, opening bottom to top.

ORIGIN : native to the sandy southern flatlands of WA
USE FOR: Year-round foliage, wildlife refuge and source of nectar, native gardens, rockeries, coastal gardens.

CLIMATE : Tolerates periods of drought and light frost once established
PLANTING: Plant in a light well drained soil, neutral to acid pH, in a sunny spot. Protect from hard frost. Happy growing in sandy and coastal sites, even on the east coast. Doesn’t mind clay soils if they are well-draining

CARE:Feed with a slow release native fertiliser during spring as candles form – Banksia is very phosphorus-sensitive so the P ratio of the fertiliser needs to be under 3%. Water carefully to establish the young plants – don’t let it dry out but don’t overwater it. Water mature plants in very dry periods. Prune if needed after flowering to encourage bushier growth and more flower stems.
HEIGHT & WIDTH: 0.5m H x 2-4m W.
YOUR PLANTS: These are tubestock plants, healthy young plants with new roots that will establish quickly in your garden. The pot size is 80mm high and 42 mm wide