Coast Banksia

Coast Banksia

A simply fantastic protea from southeastern Australia, the Coast Banksia reaches large shrub to tree size with beautifully serrated leaves when young that have the most dazzling silver-white undersides, as bright as a highway reflector! The flowers on the Coast Banksia look like giant upright corncobs covered in dozens of little spider protea flowers. Hardy to about 15°F, but this species forms a lignotuber so even in particularly severe winters they will bounce back from the stored energy in the lignotuber so long as they’ve had a few mild winters in previous years to fully establish. Be careful never to fertilize with phosphorous as all proteas despise this and it can quickly bring about their demise.

Find more Banksia plants HERE!

Latin Name: Banksia integrifolia ssp. integrifolia
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil. Very drought tolerant once established and it will need little to no supplemental watering during the summer season, though a bit of summer water speeds growth when young.
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. 15º F, possibly lower with great drainage.
Size at Maturity: 15-20  ft. in height by 10-15 ft. wide
Bloom Time: early spring through summer every decade or so
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 8b/9a