shrub

Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea

Hakea salicifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Hakea salicifolia, the willow-leaved hakea, is an upright, dense evergreen shrub or small tree native to eastern Australia, reaching ten to twenty-six feet in height. The foliage consists of flat, leathery, lanceolate leaves that lack the sharp, needle-like tips common to other hakeas, emerging with bronze or pinkish-red tones before maturing to pale green.

This species is distinguished by its highly pliable, non-prickly foliage and its adaptability as a hardy rootstock for grafting sensitive Western Australian Proteaceae. In late winter and spring, it produces clusters of small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers along the leaf axils, followed by woody, warty seed follicles.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, compact habit suitable for formal hedging, with attractive bronze-toned new growth and fragrant white flowers.

Serves as a hardy, disease-resistant rootstock for grafting difficult Western Australian Proteaceae.

Supports native honeyeaters, insectivorous birds, and native bees with nectar and nesting cover.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

315 inches

Width

197 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

High tolerance to coastal exposure

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late winter – Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select an open, sunny site or a position with moderate partial shade in well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery pot, backfilling without adding rich organic matter or high-phosphorus fertilisers.
Water deeply to settle the soil around the roots, then establish a regular watering schedule until the plant is established.
Apply a low-phosphorus native mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Tip-prune immediately after the spring flowering flush; cutting back hard into old, leafless wood will prevent regeneration from bare timber.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly and regularly after flowering to maintain density.
Use only slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for native Proteaceae.
Ensure the soil is highly free-draining to prevent root rot.

Don't

Do not prune hard back into old, dry, leafless wood.
Do not apply standard general-purpose garden fertilisers.
Do not overwater or plant in poorly drained, boggy areas.

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

Formal hedgesWindbreaks and privacy screensWildlife gardensGrafted rootstock for Western Australian Proteaceae

Companion Plants

Leptospermum species Callistemon species Banksia species

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea questions

What zones can Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea grow in?

Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna 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 Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea bloom?

Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea typically blooms in late winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea need full sun?

Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Willow-leaved Hakea, Willow Leaf Hakea, Saligna Hakea drought tolerant?

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