Current Obsession: Banksia

Banksia-obsessed? Maybe a little... 😊 (Hard not to be with so many wonderful species to choose from right now!)

When it comes to true icons of the amazing Land Down Under, Banksia is one of them. They’ve earned a place on this list as they can be found all over the country. Awe-inspiring blooms that illustrate the signature qualities of this protea genus, bold, unique forms (bottlebrush or spike-like inflorescence) in rich, earthy colors that allow their natural beauty to shine through.

Their effervescence and textures are unrivaled and… they make wonderful cut flowers, both fresh and dried.

Unlike many other Australian wildflowers, the main flush of Banksia come not in spring but in summer and fall. To help you distinguish between the species we’re harvesting now, I’m highlighting a few of our favorites.

Burdettii or also called Burdett’s Banksia and Golden Banksia. This bloom has long serrated leaves and large, bright flower spikes that initially start out white before opening to a brilliant orange.

Victoriae or also called Woolly Orange. This lovely bloom starts out as an intriguing greyish-white bud and becomes a brilliant orange as the styles open out from the base, giving it a fluffy or woolly (hence the name) appearance.

Prionotes or also called Acorn Banksia, Orange Banksia or Orange Frost. It’s hard not to see how this banksia earned its name… the sight of an open flower-spike is enough to make any squirrel go nuts. The acorn-shaped bloom in cream and orange hues, evolves from a small silvery-white bud. The long stem and long, slender foliage contribute to its stunning texture.

Banksia baxteri or also called Bird’s-Nest Banksia, Baxter’s Banksia and in Hawaii, fittingly known as ‘Summer Lime’. This awesome bloom that starts out as a squat, lime-green bud opens to form a stunning globe-shaped flower surrounded by unique, deeply serrated foliage.

Speciosa or showy banksia. And… as the name “Showy” suggests, this species puts on quite a display with its long, green cylindrical spike and leathery, saw-tooth leaves that fan out in a circular pattern from the flower’s base. Also referred to as Green Banksia and Mint Julep due to its refreshing and revitalizing hue and Ricrac Banksia for its ridged foliage.

Want to grow your own banksia? It’s easy if you provide well-drained soil, full sunlight, and good air circulation. Plant on a low mound of soil to promote drainage, then surround the plant with mulch. Perfect drainage is critical, as banksia flowers are susceptible to root rot. Water banksia twice a week for the first year or two, then cut back to a weekly deep watering during hot, dry weather. Pruning isn’t necessary, but you can shape the plant or trim it to maintain the desired size.

Banksia Speciosa - Showy Banksia

As the name “Showy” suggests, this large shrub or small tree puts on quite a display with its long, chartreuse cylindrical spikes and leathery, saw-tooth leaves that fan out in a circular pattern from each flower’s base.

This stunning species is also called Green Banksia and Mint Julep due to its refreshing and revitalizing hue and Ricrac Banksia for its ridged, textural foliage.

Flowering off and on all year round, speciosa peaks June through August creating amazing natural designs to be enjoyed in both the garden and when featured in floral designs. These proteas aren’t just for pretty décor, they’re for standing out… and this showy banksia certainly does that.

Proteas Designed with a Spring-Ready Twist

In springtime proteas abound, which makes them easy to include in your everyday decor. Among the season’s most beloved proteas are pincushions and banksia with warm color palettes in lively hues of orange, yellow and green.

For this spring protea arrangement, I mixed bold, hardy Leucopsermum Flame Giant + Brandi dela Cruz and Banksia Speciosa with some roses, alstroemeria, yarrow and eucalyptus. And, for a playful touch, I added a delicate stem of foxglove. The results made for a vibrant centerpiece with a tropical-feel and put a spring-ready twist on the proteas. The sherbet color palette added a sense of softness that resonates with springtime and the new beginnings.

Materials

• Leucospermum ‘pincushion’ Flame Giant and Brandi dela Cruz 
• Banksia Speciosa 
• Orange roses 
• Purple yarrow 
• Alstroemeria 
• Foxglove 
• Eucalyptus Baby Blue 
• Eucalyptus Blue Gum 
• Round ceramic container 
• Clippers 
• Waterproof floral tape

Steps

1. Create a tape grid across the top of your vase using waterproof floral tape. 
2. Begin designing your arrangement by creating a base of the eucalyptus Blue Gum foliage. 
3. Continue to build the base by adding the Leucospermum and Banksia. 
4. Once you have a nice base and shape, insert the roses. Make sure to cut the stems at an angle to allow maximum water absorption. 
5. Next, insert the alstroemeria and yarrow stems randomly around the arrangement. 
6. Add color and a new texture with the mint green eucalyptus Baby Blue. 
7. For the final touch, use a stem of foxglove to bridge the color palette of the arrangement. Keep the stem long so that the bell-shaped flowers perch up over the arrangement.

Flowers truly feed the soul!

Color Enhanced Banksia

The brighter the better in some cases, and that’s what we’re loving these days when it comes to banksia.

The banksia is a bold and textural bloom that’s displayed in many of our favorite designs. For any season, there’s always a way to make them work no matter what the occasion is. I think the uniqueness of a banksia is what makes it loved by so many of us. When it comes to designing with banksia, the options are seemingly endless. Such an exceptional flower can be transformed by the designer, projecting a different look depending on what else it is paired with it. You can go with red, white and blue hues, or add more color to the stems and create a virtual rainbow.

Color Enhanced Banksia are eye-catching flowers when combined with lively, vibrant colors and the unique bloom shape. The flower spikes provide a textured look and feel, indulging even more into the brilliance of the colors and showing them off with intensity, boldness, and flare. Banksia are hardy flowers and they dry beautifully, making them a perfect option for or almost any occasion, like Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas… the possibilities are endless.

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

In the Field: Banksia Speciosa

Like clockwork… just before the summer solstice, Banksia speciosa are in full bloom. Many of the soft, silvery-gray buds have fully opened to form long, chartreuse cylindrical spikes. Leathery, saw-tooth leaves fan out in a circular pattern from each flower’s base, creating amazing natural designs. Also referred to as Showy Banksia, Green Banksia, Ricrac Banksia or Mint Julep, the name speciosa comes from the Latin speciosus, meaning ‘showy’… referring to the stunning appearance of the plant, particularly its flowers.

With a refreshing and revitalizing mint-green to yellowish hue, these awesome blooms deliver a wealth of texture to arrangements and bouquets.

In the Field: Banksia Speciosa

Like clockwork… just before the summer solstice, Banksia speciosas are once again in full bloom. Many of the soft, wooly buds have fully opened to form long, Cylindrical spikes. Leathery, saw-tooth leaves fan out in a circular pattern from each flower’s base, creating amazing natural designs. Also referred to as Showy banksia, Ricrac banksia or Mint Julep, the name speciosa comes from the Latin speciosus, meaning ‘showy’… referring to the stunning appearance of the plant, particularly its flowers.

With a refreshing and revitalizing mint-green to yellowish hue, these awesome blooms deliver a wealth of texture and height to arrangements and designs.