Banksia grandis

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Plant
ID 13 Banksia grandis
Botanic Name Banksia grandis
Common Name Bull Banksia, Giant Banksia
Family Name Proteaceae
Cultivars
Origin Western Australia, Zone 9-10
Growth Type Shrub
Bark Type Fissured or Wrinkled
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 75
Growth Habit Narrow domed Growth Rate Medium
Height 3 - 10 m (10 - 33 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This large shrub to small tree has a thick grey wrinkly bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has glossy dark green lobed leaves and the pale yellow flowers appear in a cylindrical spike amongst the foliage from late spring to early summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Obovate
The flat leathery textured glossy dark green narrow obovate leaves are up to 310 mm (12 in) long by 100 mm (4 in) wide and have large triangular lobes that are divided to the mid-rib. The apex is truncate and the base is cuneate, petiole to 25 mm.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Dentate
Colour Dark green
Size 100 - 310 mm ( 3.9 - 12.2 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The pale yellow tubulate flowers have straight pubescent perianth segments that are up to 35 mm (1 3/8 in) long and a pistil to 40 mm (1 5/8 in) long. They are arranged in a upright cylindrical spike that is up to 400 mm (16 in) tall.
Inflorescence Spike
Colour Yellow
Size 26 - 35 mm ( 1.0 - 1.4 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Brown
There are many elliptical follicles that are up to 25 mm (1 in) long by 10 mm (3/8 in) high and 12 mm (1/2 in) wide. The wrinkly valves open when mature releasing the seeds and are embedded in a large cone like cluster.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 15 - 25 mm ( 0.6 - 1.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Very well-drained, moderately fertile, sandy-stony to clay loam, tending acidic
Container Not normally grown as a container plant
Climate Temperate
Aspect Full sun, open to exposed position, drought and light frost tolerant
Pest & Diseases Susceptible to phytophthora root rot, twig girdler, banksia longicorn
Fertiliser Not normally required, mulch and keep moist during establishment, avoid phosphorous fertilisers
Pruning Not normally required, train to a single leader for a tree habit
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Bull Banksia is grown for its yellow flower heads and its toothed foliage. It is planted in parks and botanical collections as a specimen or in group plantings along borders to attract birds. It is also used in woodland settings or on the coast.
Fresh seed should be sown in a well-drained media and the kept moist but not wet. Maintain a temperature of 18 to 21 C. (64 to 75 F) in an unheated glasshouse or open frame. Germination occurs within 3 weeks to 3 months.
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