shrub

Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea

Hakea orthorrhyncha

The Story

Plant Bio

Hakea orthorrhyncha, the bird beak hakea, is an evergreen Australian shrub reaching one to three metres in height, featuring an open, many-branched habit supported by a lignotuber. The foliage consists of stiff, grey-green leaves terminating in sharp, needle-like points, with new growth emerging with a silky, grass-like texture.

The species is distinguished by its cauline flowering habit, producing dense clusters of up to twenty bright red to crimson blooms directly on the older woody stems. These flowers mature into prominent, woody, beak-shaped seed pods that require environmental heat or fire to open.

Uses & Benefits:

Features striking cauline red flowers clustered along mature stems and unique beak-like woody seed pods.

Serves as an effective windbreak, low-maintenance screen, or barrier plant due to its sharp, protective foliage.

Provides a rich source of nectar for native honeyeaters and insectivorous birds, while the dense, spiny foliage offers protective nesting sites.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

118 inches

Width

118 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Western Australia

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 highly permeable, sandy, loamy, or granite-derived soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits at its original soil level.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic matter or standard fertilisers, then water in lightly to settle the roots.
Apply a thin layer of coarse mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent collar rot.

Pro Tip

Plant in exceptionally well-drained sandy or granite-derived soil and avoid summer irrigation once established, as excess moisture triggers fatal Phytophthora root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent waterlogging around the root zone.

Don't

Do not water established plants during hot summer periods to avoid triggering root rot.
Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood that lacks active dormant buds.
Do not apply standard phosphorus-rich garden fertilisers.

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

ScreeningBird-attracting gardensXeriscapingWindbreaks

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Grevillea fililoba Banksia attenuata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea questions

What zones can Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea grow in?

Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea 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 Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea bloom?

Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea 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 Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea need full sun?

Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Bird Beak Hakea, Bird Hakea drought tolerant?

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