Coastal Banksia – Banksia Integrifolia 140mm

Where to buy a Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia in Australia?

Why we're glad you asked as we do our best to have a steady supply of Banksia Integrifolia in stock. 

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Introduction

The Coast Banksia is an Australian icon, famous for its nice size, beautifully textured trunk and iconic gold flowers. Widely distributed between the coastal dunes to mountain ranges of Victoria and Central Queensland, Coast Banksia is fancied for its variable shape and abiotic stress tolerance levels. Commonly found as a small tree to large shrub, Banksia integrifolia attains a height of 4-15 m. The foliage is dark green, leathery on the upper-side while silver-white on under-side. The nectar rich, lemon yellow flowers of the Coast Banksia get arranged in large cylindrical spikes. A mature Coast Banksia has bark often twisted and gnarled, which makes another characteristic feature. Infructescence of Banksia integrifolia appears as conifer cones at maturity. The indigenous people of Australia soaked the flower spikes to prepare sweet drinks. The “Checklist of Australian Trees” identifies four other common names of Coast Banksia: honeysuckle, white Banksia, white bottlebrush and white honeysuckle. The large volumes of nectar produced in the flower spikes attract a wide range of native animals to the garden.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Planting

Banksia integrifolia flowers throughout the Autumn, Winter and Spring and are effective in attracting wildlife. As Coast Banksias are perfectly adapted to coastal climates they are often used in beach reclamation and erosion control. They are well suited for streetscape and in parks and reserve forests. Coast Banksia should be planted two metres away from any sewer main or connection. The rugged and hardy Coast Banksia is a slow grower and is well equipped to withstand high coastal winds. If planted as a seed it takes about 5 to 6 years for Coast Banksia to reach maturity. Extra care should be given during growing stages, but once established Banksia integrifolia need very little attention and even less pruning!

Coast Banksia - Banksia integrifolia Lighting and Position

Banksia integrifolia survives full sun to partial shade. They get along quiet easily with warm to cool temperate and Mediterranean conditions. Coast Banksia can tolerate drought, lime, moderate frost, salty winds and even fire!!

Coast Banksia - Banksia integrifolia Watering

Young Brachychiton acerifolius require regular watering and prefer mulching around the base with organic matter. Once they attain an age of 8-10 years they resist drought well.

Coast Banksia - Banksia integrifolia Soil and Fertiliser

Banksia integrifolia survive well in wide range of soil types like, dry, moist, well to moderately drained. You can plant a Coast Banksia in sandy or clay loam. They do fine even in poor soil. As Coast Banksia is a low maintenance shrub it doesn’t require regular fertilization. A slow release fertilizer can be added to the soil before planting. We recommend using our Plant food available here.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Watering

Frequent watering of Banksia integrifolia should be avoided as it makes way for fungal attacks. Water, once a week. During wet periods avoid watering completely.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Propagation

Seed propagation is the easiest method for propagating a Banksia. To start with, place the seed cone in the oven at 120°C for about half an hour (beware of burning them down). Once the seed pod cracks open and reveals the seeds, remove them each and place them atop the potting soil. No need to cover with extra soil. Moist them regularly and be patient! Germination takes time. Once a Banksia seedling is established with two or three leaves, transfer them to a bigger pot or to the ground.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Vulnerability to Pests and Diseases

Coast Banksia is a real hardy tree. Your Banksia may not run into pests except minor caterpillars. But onset of fungal infection is the real headache, particularly Cinnamon dieback caused by cinnamon fungus or phytophthora cinnamon. The latter has a history of immense damage on many Australian floras. So if you suspect any, convince yourself to completely getting rid of your affected plant so that the disease may not spread further. For more information on how to manage common plant pests head to our blog here.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning of Banksia integrifolia is performed only during any disease symptoms. Pruning of mature branches may induce wounds in the tree. Too much pruning will reduce flowering and promote more foliage in Banksia integrifolia.

Other Banksia Varieties

To discover more from the Banksia plant family click here as we take you on a visual journey. If you want some Banksia with spectacular flower heads, Banksia ericifolia and Banksia menziesii are great options. The bushy Banksia serrata tolerates poorly drained soils and has great value in landscaping. Banksia 'Giant Candles, a hybrid between Banksia ericifolia and Banksia spinulosa var. collina, is well known for its deep orange flower spikes. Banksia aemula, Banksia ericifolia var. ericifolia, Banksia marginata, etc are some other varieties grown in Australia.

Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia Design Tips

Many Banksia species are more compact in form and more shrub like whereas the Coast Banksia is a more substantial tree. So the Coast Banksia is a great choice if looking for something more substantial and they make a great bird loving feature tree. Whilst the flowers of the Banksia are usually given the primary focus we actually really love the rustic, character rich trunks of the Coast Banksia, which only gets better with age. The Coast Banksia also has strong beach vibes. We think they’re at their best in native coastal gardens where they line a meandering path, where their great trunks and branches are on show as visitors weave around these beautiful trees. In nature, strands of Coast Banksias creates a magical setting so if you can recreate even a touch of that you’ll have a terrific garden! They’ll look great amongst native grasses and if on a rocky sloped side amongst Cousin It Plants for interest.

Want a Coast Banksia - Banksia Integrifolia?