Forget about the Christmas decorations, this Aussie Native has the only decorative balls you need with tree included! Introducing the Hakea Laurina or Pincushion Hakea, indigenous to WA but taking the World by storm!
Where to buy a Hakea Laurina plants in Australia?
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Introduction
When it comes to low-effort evergreen plants, Hakea Laurina is an excellent choice, especially for beginner gardeners. This Australian native offers an extraordinary addition to your landscape with its spectacular deep-red blossoms and can be easily grown in most climes. The Hakea Laurina stands out with its globular red blooms, laurel-shaped leaves, and silky gray bark. Other names for Hakea Laurina include Pincushion Hakea, Pincushion Flower, Pincushion Tree, West Australian Cushion Flower, and Kodjet. The Hakea Laurina is a small tree or large shrub growing to 3 to 6m tall with a dense round habit. If you want to learn how to grow a healthy and beautiful Hakea, keep on reading!
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Care Tips Introduction
Luckily, aside from its stunning appearance, the pin cushion Hakea is hardy and simple to care for. As mentioned before, even gardeners with little to no experience can take good care of Hakea plants. However, there are some tips and tricks on how to make this plant thrive, so continue reading our expert guide!
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Lighting & Position
Place your plant in a sunny location in your garden. Your Hakea will still flourish in partial shade, but it will produce less flowers and it will likely appear more slender.
If you want your Hakea tree to take compact and rounded form, expose it to full sun. Overall, a well-lit Hakea plant has more blossoms and healthier-looking leaves. They are also frost resistant and can survive in extremely cold temperatures, however, their flowers will appear smaller under these conditions.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Watering
When it comes to watering, the Hakea is an excellent choice as it does not require a lot of water to survive and is drought resilient. The only period during which it will require more regular watering is during its growth phase while it is still maturing.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Humidity
Usually, Hakeas thrive in temperate climates with moderate humidity levels and are perfectly adapted to Australian conditions.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Soil & Fertiliser
Hakeas prefer dry to medium dry soil in general. They can grow in a variety of soil types as long as the planting mix is free of lime and has adequate drainage. Sandplains are their natural habitat and provide so are the soil type they are best adapted to.
We recommend using our Plant Food available here.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Extra Tips
We recommend that when you notice new growth on your Hakea you should prune your plant. This can help you maintain your Hakea’s size and form while also protecting it from leaf mold. To maintain your plant looking vigorous and healthy, cut down the tip growth 10-20cm from the end. Do this on a regular basis after the blooming phase. However, pruning heavy woody branches should be avoided since they may not regrow.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Vulnerability to Pests & Diseases
Aside from being shallow-rooted, your Hakea will not cause you any gardening issues in terms of pests and diseases. Although root rot fungus might occur on occasion, this hardy native plant can recover well if planted in well-draining garden soil.
For more information on how to manage common plant pests, head to our blog here.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Toxicity
Luckily, there is no evidence that Hakea Laurina is toxic to people or animals.
How to Propagate your Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea
Because the Hakea Laurina is a shallow-rooted plant, propagating from a cutting may be ineffective. When propagating a Hakea Laurina, we propose one of two options. The first one is to grow the plant from seed, the second one is to purchase a new plant from a nursery. If you want to pursue the first option, here is a step-by-step guide:
1. The first step in growing a Hakea from seed is to harvest the pods. Wear gloves and sharp secateurs, as the seed pods can be sharp.
2. Place the pods in a paper bag and store them in a warm location in your home.
3. When the pods open, collect the seeds and place them in a well-drained potting mix. Cover them with vermiculite and wet them.
4. Allow them to germinate by moistening them on a regular basis. This often takes two to three months.
5. Move them to a larger planting area where they can reach their full potential. Remember to water your plants on a regular basis until they are established.
Hakea Laurina – Pincushion Hakea Design Tips
The Hakea Laurina is a small tree with a nice, dense round habit making it a cute feature plant with it’s stunning and unique red ball flowers. It can be a charming addition to any garden and can look great on top of green grassy mounds where its form and flowers can create a wonderland feel. The flowers are certainly a highlight so placing close to a window or somewhere where you’ll regularly cross its path so you can make the most of it up close is a great idea. The Hakea flowers are also immensely popular in floral arrangements due to their novel appearance but also their long lasting nature. So why not take some cuttings and bring them into the house to enjoy!
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