Hakea (Hakea laurina)

Hakea, also known as pincushion hakea or needle bush, is a medium evergreen native shrub to small tree (5-6m in height and spread).

Hakea is grown in gardens for its attractive flowers, tolerance of heat and dry conditions and usefulness for attracting wildlife including birds and insects. The pink, red and white pincushion flowers bloom in autumn and winter and provide nectar while the dense, prickly, leafy, growth offers protection for small birds. The honey scent seeds that follow the flowers are eaten by seed eating birds.

They can be grown as part of an informal hedge or as a single specimen tree. It is a member of the Proteaceae family and native to southern Western Australia.

There are other varieties of hakea available. Check with your hardware or garden centre for a variety that will suit your local environment. Here are a couple:

• Hakea sericea: Also known as Silky Hakea, it has spiky leaves and white spider-like flowers in winter. It’s a small tree approximately 7 metres high with a narrow spread of  2 metres wide. It is often seen growing in the coastal areas of NSW.
• Hakea salicifolia: Commonly known as Willow-Leaved Hakea, it has cream spider-like flowers in winter and spring and broad green leaves. It is a beautiful small tree or bushy shrub up to 4.5 metres high by 3.5 metres wide with its fine narrow leaf and bushy habit. Use it for hedging or mixing with other natives.

Growing conditions

Aspect Hakea laurina needs a bright, sunny location for good flowering. It will grow in more shaded conditions but produces fewer flowers and a narrow habit. As it is shallow-rooted, it is best grown in a spot sheltered from strong winds.

Soil They will perform at their best with well-drained soil. Nourish the soil prior to planting by adding your own compost or mix Seasol Garden Soil Mix into the soil. Water plants in with Seasol to prevent transplant shock and aid establishment.

Climate It grows in a wide range of temperate climates. Plants can tolerate light frost and can survive in extremely cold temperatures, however their growth and flowers are smaller.

General care

Watering Water regularly to establish but once growing strongly, plants are drought tolerant. However, check plants during high heat when plants, may need occasional water.

Feeding and mulching Hakea should be fed with a low-phosphorus fertiliser formulated for Australian native plants.

You can boost the growth of young plants with an occasional application of liquid PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives. Apply a light application of PowerFeed Controlled Release All Purpose including Natives on established plants every season through the growing period or after pruning. Remember to water it in after application.

Mulch with organic mulch such as leaf litter or bark mulch to keep the roots cool, suppress competing weeds and retain soil moisture when it is dry.

Pruning With the right space, hakea needs little pruning but can be cut back after flowering to encourage more compact growth and to keep hedges in shape. If seeds are desired (for native birds) avoid pruning.

Watch out This plant has few pest or disease problems.