Hakeas
Hakea laurina x petiolaris ‘Pin Ball’
Most hakeas are wonderfully spiky plants, well equipped to defend themselves against all invaders. They have a great variety of flowers, many some of the most unusual and spectacular of the Australian flora. They also often have interesting foliage and woody fruits which add to their appeal. They are exclusively an Australian species named in 1797 after the German patron of botany, Baron Von Hake. We have planted 137 hakea plants of which just under half, 46%, are still in the garden. These plants comprise 39 different species or cultivars.
Hakea archaeoides
Hakea archaeoides
Hakea archaeoides forms a large shrub, 4-6m high and 3-4m wide with oblong leaves and pendulous racemes of deep red flowers. We saw many of these growing very successfully at Neil and Wendy Marriott’s garden near Stawell, Victoria. We got some seed from the Marriotts in November 2012, grew them up in pots and planted five of them into the garden in April 2014. Disappointingly we had a severe frost in August 2014 and four of the plants died. One has struggled on, but has only made 0.5m growth, even in a protected area of our garden, in six years. My conclusion is that these plants are quite sensitive to frost. This plant is native to the north coast of NSW and is listed as vulnerable in the wild.
Hakea bakeriana
We planted this compact shrub, 2m high and wide, with bright green narrow leaves and attractive cream, pale pink or deep pink flowers in loose clusters in September 2023. The fruit is large woody seed pods about 7cm long and 4.5cm wide. The pods contain two winged seeds. Hakea bakeriana makes an attractive garden plant but is usually only available specialist nurseries. Native to the central coast of New South Wales from Newcastle to the Hawkesbury River.
Hakea brownii – Fan Leaf Hakea
We planted this shrub, 2m high x 1.5m wide, with ginko-like leaf and small brownish red flowers, in November 2020. This plant needs sunny well drained soil and is tolerant of moderate frosts and drought. Beautiful ‘gingko-like’ foliage. Native to southwestern WA. Covered in buds September 2023.
Hakea bucculenta (photos above)
In November 2008 we planted Hakea bucculenta, a large shrub 4m high x 3m wide. which initially grew well but never flowered and was eventually removed. We planted a grafted plant in September 2009 which bloomed well with spikes of pinkish red flowers in August 2013 and has subsequently bloomed well each year and grown to 4m high. Phil Trickett thinks that our plant is a cross between H. bucculenta and H. francisciana. This plant species is native to the central WA coast.
Hakea ‘Burrendong Beauty’ (Photos above)
We have planted six of these sprawling shrubs, 1.5m high by 3m wide, said to be a hybrid between H petiolaris and H. myrtoides, from 2004-11. This plant has rigid prickly leaves and bright pink flowers in axillary clusters in winter and early spring. This hybrid was discovered in cultivation at Burrendong Arboretum near Wellington, NSW in 1984. Only one survives in our garden, the one given to us by Barbara Daly. Barbara had a marvellous specimen of ‘Burrendong Beauty’ in her sheltered Cook garden which grew widely. The pink pompom flowers are very attractive, long lasting and profuse on a good specimen, which ours is not. Eventually removed in January 2024.
Hakea cinerea - Ashy Hakea
Hakea cinerea or Ashy Hakea forms a stiff shrub to 2.5m high with rigid grey leaves and yellow flowers in clusters in the leaf axils. The fruits are narrow and pointed. We planted two of these, one in May 2009 and another in October 2010, but neither proved really satisfactory. The first one is planted under some protection and persists, but without flowers. The second one, more in the open, was frosted off and removed in September 2014. This plant is native to the Esperance area of WA. We have since planted two more in March 2024 abd these are doing well so far.
Hakea clavata
We planted this shrub, 0.5-1.5m high x 1-2.5m wide, with succulent-like leaves. and pink buds, pale pink to white flowers in November 2019, suggested for well-drained acidic soils in full sun. This species is native to rocky outcrops north of Esperance, WA and is adapted to harsh conditions. The foliage is unusual and a feature of the plant. Our first specimen, planted in March 2012, was hit by the frost in October of the same year and died. The second one we have planted in pot in November 2019 and it is growing well so far and bloomed for the first time in September 2021. This plant is native to the Esperance area of WA.
Hakea coriacea - Pink Spike Hakea (Photos above)
We have planted four Hakea coriacea, or Pink Spike Hakea, the first three in the garden, all of which met a sticky end. Two of them were blown over in the wind. They were rotted out at the base as our garden is a bit too wet for them. This shrub, 2-4m high and 2-3m wide, with grey-green leathery leaves and pink spikes of flower, is native to the Kalgoorlie area of WA. We planted one in a pot in November 2013 then moved it into the garden in December 2016. This plant is now 3m high and has bloomed sparingly. I could wish for more blooms, but it does improve each year.
Hakea corymbosa
Hakea corymbosa - Cauliflower Hakea
Hakea corymbosa, or Cauliflower Hakea, is an amazing plant, first seen by us at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, where it has grown into a small tree with the prickliest of foliage and huge heads, (like a cauliflower), of white flowers. We planted our specimen in March 2009 and it has grown to 1.5m high and 1m wide with the requisite prickles and white heads of flower blooming or the first time in September 2011. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Hakea cucullata - Cup Hakea
We have had a few tries at establishing Hakea cucullata or Cup Hakea in our garden, but now have two plants, planted 2019-2020, in protected spots in our garden. One was munched by a kangaroo in December 2019, but has recovered. We originally had a plant, grafted in January 2010, planted in June 2010, which disappointingly drowned in the rain of October 2010. This plant has stiff leathery cupped leaves and bright pink flowers which nestle inside the leaves and is native to the Albany area of WA. Our plant has not grown much, as it does not receive enough sun.
Hakea cycloptera – Elm Seed Hakea
We planted this small shrub, 1.3m high x 2m wide, with pointed terete leaves, axillary pink or white flowers in winter and ovoid fruits with a beak, in November 2023. This plant prefers partial shade in well drained soils and is native to Eyre Peninsula, SA.
Hakea dactyloides - Dagger Hakea
We have planted two Hakea dactyloides, or Finger Hakea, one in March 2016 which died two years later in the heat; the other in February 2020, which seems to be thriving so far. This plant has bronze new growth, dark green leathery leaves and white flowers. These plants are native to the coastal regions of northeastern Victoria, NSW and southeastern Queensland.
Hakea drupacea
We planted this rounded shrub, 2-4m high x 2-3m wide, with sharp pointed foliage up and clusters of sweet-scented white or cream flowers followed by fruits, in February 2023. This plant prefers a warm sunny position in well drained soil, will tolerate dry periods, wind and moderate frost once established.
Hakea elliptica
We planted this tall, fast growing erect bushy shrub, 3m high x 2m wide, with dark green wavy, elliptical leaves, bronze new growth, prolific white scented flowers and large brown fruits, in March 2021. This plant will tolerate some frost and winter wetness and is native to the Avon River Valley, near Albany, WA. Moved to a better position in December 2022.
Hakea epiglottis
A bushy shrub to 5m tall with dull green leaves and creamy axillary flowers. This plant is endemic to Tasmania where it occurs along the east coast and the Furnaux Islands. We planted one in August 2019 and it has grown to 3m already and flowered first in September 2021.
Hakea eriantha - Tree Hakea (photos above)
We planted four Hakea eriantha, or Tree Hakea, as part of our foundation planting in December 2003. This species forms a small bushy tree to 4m high with dark green leaves and white flowers. Three of these were destroyed by the fall of an enormous 90 year old pine tree in July 2016. One remains, but does not flower well. Hakea eriantha is native to the east coast of mainland Australia.
Hakea francisciana ‘Pomonal Pink’ (photos above)
Hakea francisciana ‘Pomonal Pink’ is a grafted, tall woody shrub with narrow grey leaves and spectacular long pink brush flowers in winter and spring. This plant can eventually grow to 5m high and wide, but so far the one we planted in our garden, in September 2013, is 3m high and 2m wide, with an attractive oval shape. This plant first flowered for us in October 2014 and has continued to flower each year with more and more flowers. As this plant was such a success we bought another grafted specimen in November 2017, but this plant has green leaves, and so far, no flowers. It remains to be seen whether this plant will bloom with the same showy flowers. In 2024 the leaves of the second plant are turning grey and we did have one flower.
Hakea gibbosa - Hairy Hakea (photos above)
We obtained seeds of Hakea gibbosa, or Hairy Hakea, from a friend in March 2015, germinated them and planted three of them into the garden in December 2015. These have been incredibly slow growing for us, still only about half a metre high after four and a half years. They are supposed to make a conifer like shrub to 3m tall with viciously prickly grey leaves and cream axillary flowers. This plant is native to the Sydney region of NSW.
Hakea invaginata
We planted Hakea invaginata in October 2006 and at first it grew well with long linear grey leaves. Our plant was frosted off in December 2009 and we removed it for failure to thrive. Since then it has regenerated itself and grown again to one metre in height, but still has not flowered. This plant is native to a band from Geraldton to inland from Perth, WA. Eventually died June 2021.
Hakea laurina ‘Stockdale Sensation’ (photos above)
Hakea laurina ‘Stockdale Sensation’ is a cultivar with a dense weeping habit and pink and cream pincushion flowers. We have planted three of these in various places in the garden, in September 2014 and 2015. All three are thriving and flowering somewhat. We hope for more blooms as these shrubs mature.
Hakea laurina x petiolaris ‘Pin Ball’ (photos above)
Hakea laurina x petiolaris ‘Pin Ball’ , grafted, is a standout shrub in our garden with bluish green leaves with prominent veining and ball-like red flowers with cream styles. This is a free flowering bush which grows to 3.5-5m high and 3-10m wide. I hope it does not grow quite as large as this in our garden, as I have not given it enough room to do so. We have now planted four of these shrubs, all flowering reliably and growing well.
Hakea lehmanniana – Blue Hakea
We planted this dense shrub, 50cm – 1.2m high and 1-2m wide, with green linear leaves and pale blue flowers in a pot in July 2019. This plant is native to southwestern WA. Our plant bloomed for the first time in September 2020.
Hakea leucoptera - Needlewood (Photos above)
We obtained one plant of Hakea leucoptera, or Needlewood, and planted it in the back garden in October 2010. A large limb of Pinus radiata fell on the tiny plant the very next day, but it survived and has grown to 1.5m high, with needle-sharp, thin grey leaves. Needlewood flowered for us the first time in December 2014 and has flowered with creamy axillary clusters several times since then, but not every year. We obtained seeds of Hakea leucoptera subsp. leucoptera in March 2015 and planted three seedlings in December 2015. These have also grown well, and flowered for the first time in December 2020. This plant is native to the drier areas of all mainland states.
Hakea lissocarpha - Honeybush
We planted this dense, erect or spreading, prickly variable shrub, 0.5 – 3m high x 1.5m wide, with sharply pointed leaves and sweetly scented clusters of white flowers, native to the Kalbarri region and beyond in WA, in November 2023.
Hakea lissosperma - Needle Bush
We planted this upright large bush or small tree, 3-6m high and 2-4m wide, with fine prickly foliage and small white flowers in May 2021. This plant is not for dry sites and is native to southeastern NSW, eastern Victoria and Tasmania.
Hakea macreana - Willow Needlewood (photos above)
Hakea macraeana, or Willow Needlewood, is a joy in the garden as long as you give it enough room. This shrub grows to 4m high and 3.5m wide with soft green needle-like foliage and cream perfumed flowers in spring. We planted one in November 2013 and it has grown large, probably 3m x 2m so far, flowering for the first time in September 2015. This plant is rare and threatened in its range on the south coast and southern tablelands of New South Wales to altitudes of 1,060 metres.
Hakea microcarpa (photos above)
We planted Hakea microcarpa in March 2013. This is a prickly shrub to 2m high x 2.5m wide, which has only grown to 1m x 1m so far for us. This plant bloomed for us for the first time in October 2013 and has repeated this bloom each year since. This plant is native to the east coast of Australia.
Hakea mitchellii (photo above)
We obtained seeds of Hakea mitchellii from Little Desert in Victoria, germinated them and planted three of them in the garden in December 2015. One was almost immediately uprooted by a raven and another died in a hot spell in January 2017. The remaining plant is thriving and flowered for the first time in December 2018. This plant forms a rounded shrub 2m high and wide with bright green foliage, very attractive red stems and white flowers.
Hakea multilineata - Grass-leaf Hakea (photos above)
Hakea multilineata, or Grass-leaf Hakea, is an outstanding shrub to 3-4m high and 2m wide with narrow stiff green leaves and long spikes of pink flowers. This plant is native to southwestern WA. We planted one in March 2010, which flowered for the first time, sparsely, in September 2013. Just as it was budded up to flower more freely it blew over in a windstorm in March 2015. The problem was rotting out at the base. Our garden is a bit too wet for this species , so the next one we planted in October 2015 we incorporated plenty of sand in the hole. This plant has grown and flowered well over the last few years.
Hakea nitida - Shining Hakea (Photos above)
We planted Hakea nitida, or Shining Hakea, in March 2010 and it has grown to 2m x 2m of prickly, green, toothed foliage, definitely a useful plant to form a barrier. Evidently this plant can grow to 4m x 5m, but is still much smaller than that in our garden. The scented flowers are very attractive, pink and white, occurring each spring since 2012. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Hakea obtusa (Photo above)
Hakea obtusa forms a rounded shrub to 2.5m high x 2m wide with blunt elliptical leaves and bright pink powderpuff flowers along the stem. This plant has grown much bigger than advertised at the Australian National Botanic Gardens into a small tree with a stunning display of flowers. We planted one in November 2013, but it is still quite small, 1m x 1m, although it has flowered sparsely in August 2018. This plant occurs in the Ravensthorpe area of southwestern WA. Died January 2024.
Hakea orthorryncha - Bird-beak Hakea
We have tried to establish Hakea orthorryncha, or Bird-beak Hakea, many times in our garden, planting 10 specimens from 2006-2017. We have one remaining, but it is still small and has not flowered. When successful this plant forms a rounded shrub 2m high x 3m wide with needle like leaves and red flowers on older wood in winter and spring. This plant is native to the central coast of WA. We moved our remaining plant into more sun in April 2024.
Hakea pachyphylla (Photos above)
We planted one Hakea pachyphylla in March 2013, which has grown to 1.5m high and 1m wide. The green foliage is quite soft and the flowers are yellow and occur along the stems. We obtained some seed for this species in 2015, propagated them and planted five seedlings in August 2015. These have grown and flowered well. This species is native to the Blue Mountains of NSW.
Hakea pandanicarpa
We planted this large bushy shrub 2-3m high and 1.5m wide, with narrow elliptical leaves and flowers are creamy-white axillary racemes in spring, often profuse and scented, in November 2023. Native to the south coast of WA near Ravensthorpe. This plant prefers well drained soil, is frost tolerant but does not like humidity and can be pruned lightly. Bronze new growth is a feature. Often grown for their large nuts.
Hakea propinqua (photos above)
Hakea propinqua can develop into a conifer-like, willowy small tree with red branchlets, but in our garden is much smaller so far, 1m high and 1.5m across. We planted one in May 2009 and it flowered for the first time in October 2011 with white axillary flowers. This plant is native to heathlands near Sydney, NSW.
Hakea purpurea (Photo above)
We planted two Hakea purpurea, one in March 2013 and the other in May 2016. This plant is a medium shrub, 2m x 2m, with narrow leaves and pinkish purple flowers in winter and spring. One plant struggled and was eventually removed while the other first bloomed in October 2015 and continues to do so.. This plant is native to southern inland Queensland and just across the border into NSW.
Hakea ruscifolia - Candle-spike Hakea (photos above)
We planted one Hakea ruscifolia or Candle-spike Hakea in November 2013. This is a sparsely branched shrub, 2m x 2m, with elliptical leaves and prominent scented white flowers in terminal spikes. This plant bloomed for us for the first time in February 2021.
Hakea salicifolia - Willow-leaf Hakea (photos above: flowers, fruits and plant)
We planted five Hakea salicifolia or Willow-leaf Hakea as part of our foundation planting in 2003. These form a bushy tree to 8m with long leaves and white axillary flowers. Their fruits have proved quite popular with Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos in our garden. We also planted two fine leaved varieties of this plant in 2007. We only have one tree remaining now and it does not flower well. The rest have been removed for various reasons. These trees are native to eastern NSW and southeastern Queensland.
Hakea scoparia
We were given 5 Hakea scoparia collected from Kangaroo Island, native to southwestern WA, in February 2010. They have grown slowly to 2.5m high and 1.5m wide with greyish needle-like leaves and cream axillary flowers. Since the removal of some other trees blocking their sun, and the removal of one plant in July 2013 and another in January 2017 they have become more vigorous.
Hakea sericea - Silky Hakea
Hakea sericea, or Silky Hakea, is recommended as a prickly shrub which acts as a refuge for small birds. We have the white flowered form, about 3m high, originally planted in October 2009, and a number of its seedlings as well. We have not seen any birds nesting in it so far. This plant is native to southeastern Queensland to southeastern NSW.
Hakea teretifolia - Dagger Hakea (photos above)
Hakea teretifolia, or Dagger Hakea, grows to 3m high and is another bird refuge with prickly leaves. We planted one in August 2018 and have been rewarded with scented creamy white flowers in November 2019. This plant is native to coastal NSW from Coffs Harbour to Sydney.
Hakea ulicina - Furze Hakea
Hakea ulicina or Furze Hakea was planted in November 2012 and has grown to 3m tall and 1m across. This shrub has narrow leaves twisted at the base and clusters of white flowers that bloomed first for us in October 2013. This plant is native to southeastern Australia, including the Furnaux Islands. Removed December 2021.
Hakea varia (photos above)
Hakea varia, planted in October 2014, is a variable shrub which has grown to 1.5m high and wide in our garden. This plant is fearsomely prickly and bore creamy flowers for the first time in October 2017. This shrub is native to coastal WA from Eneabba south to Israelite Bay.
Hakea victoria - Royal Hakea (photos above)
Hakea victoria or Royal Hakea is an iconic shrub from a restricted area on the south coast of WA, between Bremer River and Hopetown.. This plant is prized for its ornamental foliage of cream, orange, red and green. When successful this plant can grow to 5m high and 3m wide, but it does not enjoy the clay soil and wet conditions in our garden. Our specimen has grown only to 1m high after being planted in October 2010 and the colours of its foliage are not very marked.
Removed March 2021 for failure to thrive.
