Care of the shrub Banksia victoriae or Woolly Orange Banksia |
The genus Banksia, family Protaceae, includes 80 species of trees and shrubs native to Australia. Some species are: Banksia victoriae, Banksia praemorsa, Banksia integrifolia, Banksia aculeata, Banksia attenuata, Banksia coccinea. Common name: Woolly Orange Banksia. This species is native to Western Australia. They are large evergreen shrubs of a wide habit and fast growth that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height and 3 meters (9.84 feet) in width. The long, lobed leaves up to 30 cm (11.8") long have triangular green or gray-green lobes. The showy acorn-shaped cylindrical spikes are covered in small orange flowers. They bloom in summer. Woolly Orange Banksia is used in shrubby groups, as isolated specimens, to form screens, and in pots when young. The flowers are highly prized as dried flowers for their long duration. Banksia victoriae grows in full sun and semi-shade exposures; the climate must be dry and warm. Frost resistant to -7 ºC (19.4 ºF). The soil can be a normal garden soil with plenty of coarse sand; it also grows in poor, sandy and stony soils. Water regularly, always waiting for the substrate to dry completely. Woolly Orange Banksia resists drought well. Banksia victoriae does not need fertilizer. Prune dry inflorescences after flowering. Woolly Orange Banksia is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases. Banksia victoriae is propagated from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the shrub Banksia victoriae or Woolly Orange Banksia |