This information is provided as a free service to viewers. We do not sell these plants.
Overview
Banksia formosa is an elegant, upright shrub with long, thin, deep green, saw-toothed leaves that are grey on the undersides.
In spring it produces large golden-yellow, domed flower heads which attract nectar drinking birds and last for a long time as cut flowers.
Originally identified as a separate genus (Dryandra) which has now been formally transferred in with Banksia.
Soil: As per other Banksia they like light textured, poor, stony soils rather than overly rich and fertile.
They don't like water-logging and prefer acid rather than alkaline soils.
Maintenance: Liking a Mediterranean climate, they don't like too much water in summer - but mulch it well to maintain enough moisture to live.
A little well rotted compost or a dressing of blood and bone once a year will do for feeding. Do not use general purpose fertiliser as it will harm the roots and most likely kill it. Low phosphorus native formulation can be purchased which is much safer.
Don't try to transplant, they hate root disturbance.
Easy to propogate by pushing a cutting into a damp, gritty potting mix.
Diseases: Tendency to keel over and die if roots are damaged or rot.
Root damage can occur from wind stress - so stake it if it's in a very windy spot or preferably chose a sheltered position.
Other Species: 56 evergeen species in the genus including "Nobilis"
Comments: Originally named after Jonas Dryander, a Swedish botanist. N.B. the seeds need heat applied before they will germinate - pour boiling water over them and the tough outer casing will open to reveal the mature seed.
Author: Bob Saunders.