Birthday Candles Hairpin Banksia

Birthday Candles Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa 'Birthday Candles') is a dwarf native shrub that stays under half a metre tall in flower and spreads slowly to between 50cm and 1m wide. Cylindrical golden-yellow flower spikes about 8cm long stand proud of the dense foliage through autumn and winter, like candles on a cake.

Why you'll love it

• Winter colour in a small package. The golden-yellow candles appear in autumn and winter, when gardens most need a lift.
• Low and spreading. It grows to only 40cm to 50cm high and widens slowly, which makes it a natural groundcover banksia.
• Wildlife without the size. It brings nectar-feeding birds to gardens with no space for a full-size shrub.
• Salt and frost tolerant. It tolerates salt spray and frost, so coastal and cooler gardens are both suitable.
• Happy in a pot. It suits containers as well as the ground, which also helps in soils that are too alkaline.

Where it works best

Coastal gardens and rockeries. Its low habit and salt tolerance make it a tidy fit for sandy beds and rock gardens where other shrubs would struggle.

Mass groundcover plantings. Plant 60cm apart for a mass planting. The dwarf shrubs slowly knit together into a low mat, with the flowers standing above.

Pots and containers. Plant it in a wide terracotta pot with sharp drainage, in full sun, and the candles will stand over the rim.

Growing Birthday Candles Hairpin Banksia in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a sunny position for the best flowering. It suits cooler and drier climates best, because it does not like humidity. In humid subtropical gardens, grow it in a pot with sharp drainage and good airflow around it.

Soil. Plant in a light, very well drained soil. It suits acid to mildly alkaline ground, and the leaves may yellow in very alkaline soils, in which case a pot is the solution. It does not like wet feet.

Water and feed. Low water needs once established. Water carefully while it settles in, and never let the roots sit wet. Feed in spring with a slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, as banksias are phosphorus sensitive.

Pruning. Prune as required after flowering to maintain a dense habit.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Birthday Candles Hairpin Banksia as tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, while the pots arrive with more growth already made.

Because tube stock comes from our grower, it sells out from time to time. A sold out tube means the grower has none today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day more is available.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full banksia range
• Banksia care guide for Australian gardens
• Rockery plants
• Groundcover plants

Common questions

Is it a true groundcover?

It is a dwarf shrub, under 50cm high, that spreads slowly. It is used as a groundcover in mass plantings, but expect it to take time to fill a space.

Will it cope with humid summers?

It does not like humidity, so it does best in drier and cooler regions. In humid gardens, grow it in a pot with sharp drainage and good airflow.

What fertiliser should I use?

A slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, applied in spring. Banksias are phosphorus sensitive, so avoid general garden fertiliser.