Species

Banksia spinulosaHairpin Banksia

2 other cultivars

shrub

Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia

Banksia spinulosa 'Cherry Candles'

The Story

Plant Bio

Banksia spinulosa, the hairpin banksia, is an evergreen Australian shrub native to open dry forests and heathlands of the eastern states. It grows as an understorey plant, adapting to sandstone or sandy clay soils.

'Cherry Candles' is a compact, low-growing cultivar selected for its dense, broad-domed habit and vertical stems. It produces upright, cylindrical golden-yellow flower spikes with contrasting dark cherry-red hairpin styles from summer to early winter.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces striking, upright golden-yellow cylindrical flower spikes with contrasting dark cherry-red styles above dense, lime-green foliage.

Highly suited to coastal gardens due to excellent salt spray tolerance and a compact, wind-resistant mounding habit.

Extremely high value for nectar-eating native birds, native bees, and small mammals seeking food over the cooler months.

SpeciesBanksia spinulosaHairpin Banksia

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

18 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer – Winter

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site in full sun to light shade with highly free-draining sandy loam or clay loam soil.
Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the plant sits at its original soil level.
Backfill gently and water in thoroughly to settle the soil, avoiding any heavy clay that traps water around the root zone.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent collar rot.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning hard into old, leafless wood where adventitious buds are absent; instead, light tip-pruning of upper stems after flowering preserves the dense, mounded form.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Apply a specialized, slow-release low-phosphorus native fertiliser once a year in spring.
Provide regular water during prolonged dry spells to maintain thick foliage.
Ensure exceptional soil drainage to prevent root rot.

Don't

Do not use general-purpose garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.
Do not prune hard into old, bare wood.
Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soils without amendment.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensContainer plantingLow hedgesCoastal gardensNative bird gardens

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Grevillea lanigera Correa reflexa Lomandra longifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia questions

What zones can Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia grow in?

Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia bloom?

Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia typically blooms in summer through winter. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia need full sun?

Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cherry Candles Banksia, Hairpin Banksia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.