shrub

Burrendong Beauty

Hakea 'Burrendong Beauty'

The Story

Plant Bio

Hakea is a diverse genus of evergreen Australian shrubs and trees in the Proteaceae family, characterised by woody seed pods and tough, drought-resistant foliage. Mostly native to Western Australia, these plants are highly adapted to nutrient-poor soils and play a vital role in supporting native nectar-feeding birds.

'Burrendong Beauty' is a compact, semi-prostrate cultivar discovered in New South Wales, prized for its arching branches lined with rigid, blue-green leaves. In autumn and winter, it produces dense, globular clusters of deep pink to red flowers with prominent cream styles directly in the leaf axils.

Uses & Benefits:

Features striking, pincushion-like pink and cream flowers nestled among rigid, blue-green foliage on arching branches.

Excellent for erosion control on slopes and banks due to its spreading root system and high drought tolerance.

Provides a rich source of nectar for native birds and insects, while the prickly foliage offers safe nesting shelter for small birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Australia (Garden Origin)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Autumn – Spring

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with excellent drainage, such as a raised garden bed, bank, or sloped area.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of similar depth, ensuring the soil is acidic to neutral.
Gently plant the shrub, keeping the collar level with the surrounding soil, and backfill without compacting heavily.
Water in thoroughly to settle the soil, then apply a coarse, organic mulch keeping it clear of the main stem.

Pro Tip

Prune only the leafy green tips by up to ten centimetres after flowering; cutting back into old, leafless wood will permanently stunt the plant as it cannot regenerate from bare wood.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant on slopes or raised beds to ensure rapid drainage.
Prune lightly every year after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.

Don't

Never prune hard into old, woody, leafless stems.
Do not plant in poorly drained, heavy clay soils or areas prone to waterlogging.
Avoid planting in highly humid, subtropical or tropical climates where fungal dieback is common.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Banks and slopesRock gardensLow-maintenance gardensBird-attracting gardens

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'Correa reflexa Banksia spinulosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Burrendong Beauty questions

What zones can Burrendong Beauty grow in?

Burrendong Beauty 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 Burrendong Beauty bloom?

Burrendong Beauty typically blooms in autumn through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Burrendong Beauty need full sun?

Burrendong Beauty does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Burrendong Beauty drought tolerant?

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