Bushy Needlewood
/
(Hakea sericea)
Bushy Needlewood (Hakea sericea)
/
Christopher Stephens
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Christopher Stephens
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Christopher Stephens | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Christopher Stephens | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-08-01T14:10:01-07:00 |
Summary
Hakea sericea, commonly known as Bushy Needlewood or Silky Hakea, is an evergreen shrub native to open woodlands and heathlands in Southeastern Australia. It typically grows up to 4 meters (10 feet) tall and has a dense, bushy habit with stiff, needle-like leaves. The plant is adorned with clusters of creamy-white, sometimes pinkish flowers from July, lasting several months, which are highly attractive to birds and insects. The flowers are not particularly showy but are abundant, creating a subtle display against the foliage.
Silky Hakea is valued for its frost tolerance and ability to thrive in well-drained soils, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings. It is often used as a habitat plant due to its dense, prickly nature providing shelter for wildlife, and its winter flowering provides a food source during a season when few other plants are in bloom. While it can adapt to different soil types, it prefers those with good drainage. However, Hakea sericea is known to be potentially invasive outside its native range, so it is crucial to consult local guidelines before planting. It has been found to become invasive in South Africa, New Zealand, and Portugal.CC BY-SA 4.0
Silky Hakea is valued for its frost tolerance and ability to thrive in well-drained soils, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings. It is often used as a habitat plant due to its dense, prickly nature providing shelter for wildlife, and its winter flowering provides a food source during a season when few other plants are in bloom. While it can adapt to different soil types, it prefers those with good drainage. However, Hakea sericea is known to be potentially invasive outside its native range, so it is crucial to consult local guidelines before planting. It has been found to become invasive in South Africa, New Zealand, and Portugal.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 7-9 feet
- Width: 5-7 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: White, Pink
- Flowering Season: Winter, Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and heathlands in Southeastern Australia
Other Names
Common Names: Bushy Needlewood, Syerige Hakea, Hakea
Scientific Names: Hakea sericea, Hakea acicularis, Banksia tenuifolia, Conchium aciculare, Hakea tenuifolia, Banksia acicularis, Conchium acicularis, Conchium compressum, Hakea acicularis var. smithii
GBIF Accepted Name: Hakea sericea Schrad. & J.C.Wendl.