Dwarf Red Hairpin Banksia

Dwarf Red Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa 'Dwarf Red') is a dense, compact native shrub, about 1m high and wide, with cylindrical flowers in shades from golden honey to red through autumn and winter. It gives you the nectar of a full-size hairpin banksia in a plant small enough for a patio pot.

Why you'll love it

• Golden to red flowers. The cylindrical blooms stand proud of the foliage in autumn and winter, shading from honey gold to red.
• A mini hairpin banksia. It is the compact version, so you get the bird-attracting nectar without the bulk.
• Dense and tidy. The habit is naturally compact, so little shaping is needed.
• Tolerates frost and some drought. It copes with frost and some dry spells, but it must have good drainage.
• Container friendly. It is happy in pots, which also helps if your soil is very alkaline.

Where it works best

Pots on a patio. Plant in a wide, free draining container in full sun. Birds that visit for the nectar can be watched from a chair.

Coastal gardens and rockeries. Plant 80cm apart on a sandy slope, in a rockery or beside paving, where drainage is sharp.

Mass plantings. In groups, 80cm apart, it forms a low, flowing drift that feeds wildlife through winter.

Growing Dwarf Red Hairpin Banksia in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a sunny position for the best flowering. It suits drier and cooler climates better than humid ones, because it does not like humidity. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

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 grow it in a pot. It does not like wet feet.

Water and feed. Low water needs once established. Feed in spring with a slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, as banksias are phosphorus sensitive. Never use a general garden fertiliser.

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

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Dwarf Red Hairpin Banksia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted into sharp, well drained soil or potting mix. It arrives small and fills out over the seasons.

Availability of tube stock depends on our grower. A sold out tube simply means none is on hand right now, and the notify button on this page sends you an email the day it is back.

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
• Plants that suit pots and containers
• Rockery plants

Common questions

Can I keep it in a pot long term?

Yes. It suits a patio pot, provided you use a free draining mix and keep it in sun. Feed it with a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring.

Does it need a lot of water?

No. Once established its water needs are low. It dislikes wet feet, so do not let the pot or the soil sit soggy.

When should I prune it?

Straight after the flowers finish. Light pruning maintains the dense habit, but avoid cutting into bare wood.