The Banksia

Strong, resilient and bold, Banksias are far from delicate flowers, yet when they bloom, their effervescence and textures are unrivaled. As with the Leucospermum, the inflorescence of these robust plants consists entirely of the choreography of flower paths, they have no bracts or colored leaves. Most of these blooms look like corn cobs… tall, cylindrical and hard to the core.

Banksia are truly one of the best known and spectacular genera in the Australian plant family Proteaceae with nearly 175 species. These Australian wildflowers grow naturally in and around most of Australia’s coastal regions. Some varieties have growth habits similar to ground cover, others like shrubs and some trees. Colors range from silvery green through brilliant gold, yellows and orange to violet, deep red and even black tones. Banksia foliage varies greatly from small and piney to long and narrow to large, leathery and with deep serrated teeth.

Praemorsa – Cut Leaf Banksia

Ashbyii – Ashby’s Banksia

Ericifolia – Heath-Leaved Banksia

Banksia speciosa – rickrack banksia or Mint Julep

The Mighty Banksia

We absolutely adore the mighty Banksia! Strong, resilient and bold, this bristly protea is far from a delicate flower, yet when it blooms, its vibrancy and textures are unrivaled. From long, distinctive cylinder-like flowers to petite round blooms, there’s over 175 species (including Dryandra) to choose from. And unlike many of the Australian Proteaceae, the main flush of Banksia come not in spring but in summer and autumn. Here are a few of our favorites:

Victoriae or also called Woolly Orange. A lovely acorn shaped bloom when it's fully developed, this Banksia starts as an intriguing woolly, greyish-white bud and becomes a brilliant orange as the styles open out. These styles form an inflorescence that’s made up of hundreds of tiny flowers that open from the base, giving them a fluffy appearance. Victoriae blooms range in size from 6 to 10" in length and 5" in diameter and have fabulous serrated foliage on long rigid stems.

Baxteri is also referred to as Bird’s-Nest Banksia, Baxter’s Banksia or in Hawaii, where it is fittingly known as ‘Summer Lime’. This Banksia’s squat, lime-green buds fully open to form globe-shaped flowers on long stems surrounded by unique, deeply serrated foliage.

Sceptrum, commonly known as the sceptre banksia or ‘Popcorn Banksia’ because of its freshly popped popcorn with rich creamy butter aroma. This is one of the most striking yellow-flowered banksias of all, especially when its tall bright yellow spikes are beautifully displayed.

Burdettii is also called Golden Acorn or Golden Banksia. This Banksia develops from a silvery-grey bud into a beautiful orange acorn shaped flower. Blooms typically range in size from 4 to 6" in length and 4" in diameter and it makes a wonderful cut flower, both fresh and dried.

In the Field: Banksia Baxteri

We’ve long admired the powerful Banksia. Strong, resilient and bold, this spiny protea is far from a delicate flower—and yet when it blooms, it blooms with the best of them. From long, distinctive cylinder-like flowers to petite round blooms, there’s over 75 diverse species to choose from. And unlike many of the Australian Proteaceae, the main flush of Banksia come not in spring but in summer and autumn.

Like clockwork… just before the summer solstice, we’re seeing Banksia Baxteri in full bloom with their lengthy stems reaching high up into the sky. The squat, lime-green buds have fully opened to form globe-shaped flowers surrounded by unique, deeply serrated foliage. Baxteri is also referred to as Bird’s-Nest Banksia, Baxter’s Banksia or in Hawaii, where it is fittingly known as ‘Summer Lime’.

A refreshing and revitalizing hue indeed… zesty yellow-green reminding us of Greenery, this year’s Pantone Color of the Year. These nest-shaped blooms offer a whimsical flair to bouquets and arrangements and the color, mixes well with a combination of green hues or a profusion of bright colorful tones.

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Baxteri are not only gorgeous fresh from the field, both the blooms and foliage dry beautiful and they can even be tinted for an extra splash of lasting color.