shrub

Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush

Hakea teretifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Hakea teretifolia, the dagger hakea, is an erect, rigid evergreen shrub native to the coastal heaths and damp sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia. The branches are highly divaricate and carry stiff, cylindrical leaves that taper into extremely sharp, needle-like terminal points.

The species produces small, axillary clusters of white to yellowish flowers with downy perianths along the stems during spring and summer. These are followed by distinctively beaked, woody seed follicles featuring an irregularly toothed crest at the base.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a striking, architectural form with highly textured, needle-like foliage and distinctive woody seed pods.

Functions as an exceptionally effective physical barrier or security hedge due to its rigid, sharp-pointed foliage.

Serves as an impenetrable nesting habitat and protective refuge for small native birds, while flowers support native bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

157 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low to Medium

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic (but physically hazardous)

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun to semi-shade with light, sandy, or gravelly soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the container.
Water thoroughly upon planting and maintain light moisture until the root system establishes.
Apply a low-phosphorus native mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main stem.

Pro Tip

Avoid cutting back into old, bare wood behind the green foliage; this species lacks dormant buds on mature stems and will fail to regenerate from heavy pruning.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant away from pathways and high-traffic areas to prevent physical injury from the sharp foliage.
Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for Australian native Proteaceae.
Ensure the soil is free-draining, although the plant tolerates seasonal moisture in sandy soils.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood as the plant cannot reliably shoot back.
Do not over-fertilise, as excess phosphorus causes severe toxicity and root damage.
Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils that promote root rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Security barrierBird refuge plantingCoastal windbreakNative heath garden

Companion Plants

Leptospermum laevigatum Banksia ericifolia Allocasuarina distyla

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush questions

What zones can Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush grow in?

Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush bloom?

Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush need full sun?

Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Dagger Hakea, Dagger Needlebush, Needlebush drought tolerant?

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