Banksia marginata ( Silver Banksia ) is an Australian native shrub that grows in isolated patches across the Australian south and eastern states. Silver Banksia tolerates drought, a wide range of temperatures, maritime exposure and makes an attractive, low-maintenance hedge or feature plant. From Summer to Winter, yellow flowers invite popular pollinators into the garden with their sweet nectar.
Suitable for Cold, Dry, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Banksia marginata has a natural range that incorporates Northern New South Wales, the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to as far south as Tasmanian and the islands of Bass Strait. Across their natural range, the habit of Silver Banksias is very different in various climates and soils. For example, a fully established specimen can reach 20cm (8 inches) in some places while growing into a tree of up to 12 metres (39 feet) in others.
Other common names include the Honeysuckle or the Dwarf Honeysuckle as many are sold commercially as a dwarf variety.
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Growth
Banksia marginata is an Australian native with heights that range from 2-10 metres (8-33 feet) depending on soil fertility while the maximum width is up to 5 metres (16 feet). Silver Banksia is very versatile with well established plants able to tolerate droughts, coastal exposure and temperatures as low as −10 °C (14 °F).
It is the leaves that give this Banksia such a glamorous common name. On the top they appear green but have a whitish colour underneath giving the tree a shimmery silver look. Otherwise, the leaves are narrow, linear and house the yellow flower spikes which bloom from late summer to early winter. The flower spikes fade and eventually develop woody follicles which bear the winged seeds.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Proteaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Dry, Temperate and Sub Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10°C to 40°C / 14 to 104°F.
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining soil; sandy, loam, clay. Acidic soils are preferred, alkaline soils can cause Chlorosis
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (33 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (16 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen shrub
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low – Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees, insects, mammals. Bisexual flowers
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-95%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-6 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy-Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 85
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT BANKSIA MARGINATA (Silver Banksia)
During his third voyage to Australia, Captain James Cook had this to say about the Silver Banksia: ” A most common tree…about ten feet high, branching pretty much, with narrow leaves, and a large, yellow, cylindrical flower, consisting only of a vast number of filaments; which, being shed, leave a fruit like a pine top.”
Indigenous tribes of Australia enjoyed the sweet nectar like a lolly by either sucking it straight from the flower or by soaking the flowers in water.
