Monday, September 8, 2014

My bad-ass banksia...

This is my Banksia ericifolia, it's bad-ass.

This is what's left of a flower spike from last spring. When I bought it it was in full glorious bloom. The remains aren't half back either, especially when you consider they're 5 months old.

But that's not why it's bad-ass. This is...

And this! Yes it has the beginnings of two more bloom spikes, I am thrilled.

Baksia are members of the Proteaceae family and as such have a bit of a reputation for not being the easiest plants to keep happy in a container. Thus the fact it's still alive, putting out new growth, and fixing to bloom, well it's very good news.

Here's an interesting tidbit for you..."Banksia ericifolia was one of the original Banksia species collected by Joseph Banks around Botany Bay in 1770 and was named by Carl Linnaeus the Younger, son of Carolus Linnaeus, in 1782." (source) If you're as wild as I am about Australian plants you should be reading the blog Crumbs - the author, Amy, recently visited Kings Park Botanic Gardens and her photos are a treat for the eyes.

Since we're talking banksia I thought I'd share my others, kind of a family album. This is Banksia marginata, it's actually my second marginata as the one I was growing died last winter (it's the only banksia I've planted in the ground). In all fairness that one may have come back from the roots had I waited, but I was too impatient. I think I've got this one planted in a better (more protected) spot.

Banksia serrata (yes, with the serrated leaves) and Adenanthos sericeus (coastal woollybush, with the tiny red flower) on the right. The woollybush is also in the Proteaceae family.

Banksia grandis. This one suffered a little die-back earlier in the summer. It seems to be on the rebound.

Banksia blechnifolia, I've posted about this one before, when it was a featured favorite.

It's just amazing.

Switching gears a bit (but staying with the Proteaceae) here's a new flower developing on the Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream'...

And an older flower, falling apart.

This is the plant. It's hard to get a good photo of it because it's so large and airy. It's growing in the big black pot in the center (it's not hardy here) and then fans out to the full width of the image and beyond. This plant has been in full flower most of the summer. I thought it was done but several new flowers are forming.

Another Grevillea, G. 'Superb'...it's also currently in between flowers otherwise I'd share one.

And let's not forget the Leucadendrons: L. 'Ebony'

Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder'

And finally, Leucadendron argenteum. Which, while taking this photo, I realized I hadn't watered for a week. Not good when it's in full sun in a small container. I'd better go do a little watering now...

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

23 comments:

  1. Will those Banksia flowers on the ericifolia have enough time to fully open before winter? I'd love to see what they look like then. Will it be going into the pavilion greenhouse?

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    1. That is my concern Alison, how our changing seasons will effect the flower development. It will be going into the SPG, and hopefully staying warm enough, and with enough light, to keep on going.

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  2. I've killed my Banksia that I bought this spring ;(

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    1. Darn it! Which one was it Linda?

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    2. Banksia ericifolia ! I think too much heat and too little water .

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  3. It's exciting to see flowers forming on your Banksia ericifolia! I can't believe I don't have a single banksia. They do well here, as evidenced by the large specimens in the UC Davis Arboretum. And yet, no local nursery sells them :-(.

    Looking for a Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream' to replace a young Leucadendron 'Inca Gold' that died because I didn't water it enough...

    Gerhard

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    1. Not a single one? All of mine (except the B. ericifolia which came from Cistus) have come from The Desert Northwest up in Washington. I think you should do a nice big mail order Gerhard! http://www.desertnorthwest.com/

      My G. 'Peaches and Cream' was orginally from San Marcos growers FYI.

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    2. I'm hoping the Ruth Bancroft Garden will have a nice selecting of Australian plants in their upcoming fall sale.

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  4. The Proteaceae family contains so many spectacular plants! Here's hoping that they love the shade pavillion this winter!

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    1. They all did fine in there last year, minus the B. ericifolia, which was new this spring.

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  5. For whatever reason, I've never cared much for Banksia but, between you and Amy, I may just get over my hang-up about them. You can't beat a plant with a flower that last for months! As to the Grevillea and Leucadendron, I have all those you've listed (although my G. 'Peaches & Cream' has yet to bloom) and continue to invest in more. Sadly, it looks as though L. 'Rising Sun' will be the 1st (and hopefully, only) Leucadendron I'm going to lose - I've been unable to halt its decline.

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    1. Oh I hope so! Have you been to the Huntington Gardens Kris? They have a great Australian garden, you should check it out.

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  6. Loving your protea collection Loree, all of them have fabulous foliage, with the blooms a fab bonus. The Banksia bloom remind me of a cycad cone as well.

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    1. Yes indeed, you are right it does look like a cycad cone.

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  7. Ohh I love australian plants! they are so beautiful!! if only I could buy any banksias in Spain...
    I´m really impressed with the plants in Kings Park Botanic Gardens!

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  8. Haha, I like it when you swear. Congratulations on those spikes! Very exciting. Thanks for sharing your family album, and for the mention :)

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    1. The talk can get rather sailor-like around home sometimes, I try to stay a little polished for the blog.

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    2. And I just now realized I misspelled your blog name! What a dork I can be. Sorry about that.

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  9. Your plant choices never cease to amaze.

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  10. That is good news about the ericifolia. :) I'm always amazed when I stop by your blog--such an amazing plant collection. The name Banksia blechnifolia made me chuckle, but I LOVE the foliage!

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    1. I know, isn't that name odd? Must be a good story behind it.

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