{"product_id":"little-eric-dwarf-heath-banksia-banksia-ericifolia-little-eric","title":"Little Eric Dwarf Heath Banksia - Banksia ericifolia 'Little Eric'","description":"\u003cp\u003eLittle Eric Dwarf Heath Banksia (\u003cem\u003eBanksia ericifolia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Eric') is a compact form of the heath banksia, reaching about 2m high and 1.5m wide, roughly half the size of the full-size plant. Large orange, red and maroon cylindrical flowers cover it in autumn and winter, set against fine, heather-like foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenerous winter flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it flowers freely, with large orange-red cylinders from autumn into winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine, heather-like foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The needle-like leaves give a soft texture that sets off the big flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery adaptable.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates cold, humidity, salt spray, and acid or alkaline soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA bird magnet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Birds feed on the nectar-rich flowers, so the shrub stays busy through the cooler months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative seed pods.\u003c\/strong\u003e The seed pods are decorative as well, extending the interest after the flowers fade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreens and windbreaks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart for a screen or windbreak. The shrubs meet as they mature, giving a soft green barrier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set it where birds can be seen from the house, among low natives that fill the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt spray does not trouble it, so it suits exposed coastal boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Little Eric Dwarf Heath Banksia in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade suits it. It tolerates cold, humidity and salt spray, and it is frost tolerant once established, so it grows well in subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in a well draining, sandy to sandy loam soil that is neutral to slightly acid. In the wild it grows in woodland and sometimes in partly swampy areas, so it copes with damper ground than most banksias.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly while it establishes, then it needs little extra. Feed in spring with a slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, because banksias are phosphorus sensitive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune after flowering finishes to give a denser shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Little Eric Dwarf Heath Banksia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is the economical way to plant a screen, and the shrubs reach flowering size as they mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock is supplied by our grower and is not always on hand. When it shows as sold out, use the notify button on the page and you will be emailed the day it is available again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/banksias\"\u003eBrowse the full banksia range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/banksia-care-guide\"\u003eBanksia care guide for Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-windbreaks\"\u003ePlants for windbreaks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bird-attracting\"\u003ePlants that attract birds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is it different from the full-size heath banksia?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has the same fine foliage and big autumn and winter flowers on a plant half the size, about 2m high and 1.5m wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it cope with humid summers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It tolerates humidity, along with cold and salt spray. Good drainage still matters, so plant it in well drained soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I clip it into a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLightly, and only after flowering. Pruning then gives a denser shape, but avoid cutting into bare wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790210695487,"sku":"BAN-ERI-LITTLE-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/little-eric-dwarf-heath-banksia-banksia-ericifolia-little-eric.jpg?v=1792196353","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/little-eric-dwarf-heath-banksia-banksia-ericifolia-little-eric","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}