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Home  »  A-Z Plant Index  »  Australian Native Plants  »  Banksia formosa

Banksia formosa

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Banksia formosa was formerly known as Dryandra formosa or ‘Showy Dryandra’, and this is a species that lives up to its common name with very attractive (showy) flowers.

Banksia formosa (syn. Dryandra formosa)
Banksia formosa (syn. Dryandra formosa)

Another wonderful plant from the South West of Western Australia this is a medium sized shrub that can reach 3 metres in height. 

It will grow well in coastal conditions with sandy soils in a position from full sun to part shade, however not deep shade.

The flowers are yellow to orange in colour large and nestles down into the foliage, they make excellent cut flowers.

The leaves are a mid green, narrow with silvery white felted reverse. The leaf margins are of a saw tooth formation, so lots going on with the foliage as well as the flowers.

Pruning

Like most Banksia/ Dryandra species this is a plant that does respond well to pruning and this helps make it an excellent garden plant. The best time to prune is immediately after flowering.

How to Grow Banksia formosa

  • Choose a sunny position and a well drained soil.
  • Dig the soil over well before planting and amend heavy clay soils to improve drainage.
  • Plant at the same level that it was in the container
  • Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertilizer.
  • Mulch around the plant lightly.
  • Water during dry periods over the first few summers.
  • Prune regularly after flowering. 

Garden Uses

You could grow Banksia formosa just for the cut flowers, however it has other uses including:

  • Attracting birds and bees to the garden
  • Protection for small birds
  • As a display plant.
  • General garden border.
  • As a feature in coastal gardens where it thrives.
  • In a lowmaintenance or Xeriic garden.

Banksia formosa Summary Description

  • Botanical Name – Banksia formosa syn. Dryandra formosa
  • Falily – Proteacae
  • Common Name – Showy Dryandra
  • Origins – South West of Western Australia
  • Growth habit – Spreading perennial shrub
  • Height – To 3m
  • Spread – To 2m plus
  • Growth Rate – Fast.
  • Soil – Well drained humus rich, sandy, sandy loam.
  • Position – Full sun to a little shade
  • Foliage – Evergreen
  • Flowers – Large golden yellow
  • Flowering time – Spring
  • Frost tolerance – Light frosts only
  • Drought tolerant – Yes.

Where to Buy

Try the following nurseries

  • Goldfields Revegetation Nursery – VIC
  • Muchea Tree Farm – WA
  • Southern Flora -WA

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