Honeyeater Delight Hairpin Banksia

Honeyeater Delight Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa 'Honeyeater Delight') is a neat native shrub just 50cm high and wide, with slender, tufty needle-like leaves and dark orange flower cylinders through autumn and winter. It is small enough for pots and tiny yards, hardy to frost and drought once established, and loved by honeyeaters.

Why you'll love it

• Tiny and neat. At about 50cm by 50cm it fits even the smallest garden or a modest pot.
• Dark orange winter flowers. Cylindrical flowers appear in autumn and winter, when gardens need a lift of colour.
• Sweet nectar for birds. Honeyeaters feed on the nectar, which makes it a rewarding plant to site near a window.
• Frost and drought tolerant. Once established it is hardy to frost and dry spells.
• Almost no maintenance. It is naturally dense and bushy, so it needs very little shaping.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A single plant in a wide pot suits a sunny patio or verandah, with the flowers at eye level.

Small gardens and borders. Plant 50cm apart along a sunny border or path edge for a neat, low line with winter flowers.

Rockeries. Its small size and drainage needs make it a good fit among rocks and gravel.

Growing Honeyeater Delight Hairpin Banksia in Australia

Position and climate. A sunny or part shaded spot suits it. It is frost and drought tolerant, even drought hardy once established, so it copes with cooler and drier gardens. In humid gardens, give it sharp drainage and good airflow, or grow it in a pot.

Soil. Plant in light, well drained soil that is neutral to acid. It does not like wet feet.

Water and feed. Water carefully to establish: do not let it dry out, but do not overwater it either. Feed in spring with a slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, as banksias are phosphorus sensitive.

Pruning. It needs almost none. If you want it neat, trim off the spent flower spikes lightly after flowering.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Honeyeater Delight Hairpin Banksia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once planted into light, well drained soil or potting mix. It arrives small and grows into its compact shape over the seasons.

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
• Plants for small gardens
• Plants that suit pots and containers

Common questions

Does it need full sun?

It grows in a sunny or part shaded position. The flowering is best in good light, and a spot that drains freely matters more than anything else.

Will it cope with frost?

Yes. It is frost and drought tolerant, even drought hardy once established, which is why it suits cooler gardens.

How do I keep a young plant alive in its first summer?

Water carefully so the roots stay damp but never soggy. Overwatering is the commonest cause of losses, so let the surface dry between drinks.