Banksia speciosa

Botanical Name: Banksia speciosa

Author: R.Br.

Common Name: Showy Banksia

Family: Proteaceae

Location

The Showy Banksia is a shrub or small tree which occurs on the south coast of Western Australia. In the wild it grows on deep sand in shrubland. You can see it thriving in Bed 14a in the Connections Garden.

The species is fire-sensitive, and rapidly grows from seed after bushfire. Though it is widely distributed, B. speciosa has succumbed in large areas of its natural range where it has been exposed to dieback fungus (Phytophthora). This could pose a risk to its survival in the future.

Due to its attractive flowers, Banksia speciosa is fairly commonly cultivated. It is a vigorous and quick growing shrub if given a well-drained sandy soil, dry summer climate and a sunny aspect. However it is extremely sensitive to rootrot which will kill it quickly. In humid climates, plants may grow quickly and appear to be doing well until they succumb to Phytophthora.

Our plants are grafted onto robust rootstocks which helps them grow in our climate.